Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-10-04
FTOM IH6 OIHCIHLIdLI COmmtl
Curiosities of Marriage.

universally observed throughout the
globe, no nation having been discov-
cred, however barbarous, which does
not celebrate the union of the sexes
by ceremony and rejoicing. The
abuses of the institution. as polygamy,
Iinfdelity and divorce, have in no
manner touched its existence, however
they may have vitiated its purity.
The condition OF women in all
countries has afforded a fruitful
theme for the observation of the tray
eler, and the speculations of the phil
osopher and the novelist. 1t has
been uniformly found that the savage
is the tyrant of the female sex, while
the position and consideration given
to woman is advanced in proportion
to the refinement of social life. I'm
der the laws Of Lycurgus, Numa,
and even later law givers, the pow
er of he husband over his wife
was absolute, sometimes even includ-
ing the power over life or death.
The wife was always defined and
treated as thing, not as person
the absolute property of her lord.
In the earlier ages, a man might sell
his children or his wife indifferently,
and relics of this rude custom still sur
vive, even among nations called civil
lied and christian.
In the countries Of the east, where
pOlygamy is almost universal, mar
riage is not the sacred tie which it is
held to be in Christian countries. In
Persia men marry either for life or for
a determinate time. Travellers or
merchants commonly apply to the
magistrate for a wife during their res
idence in any place, and the cadi pro-
duces a number of girls for a selec-
ton, whom he declares to be honest
and healthy. -Four wives are allowed
to each husband in Persia, and the
same number is allowed by the Mo
hammedan law to the Mussulman.
In Chinese Tartary kind of male
polygamy is practi5ed, and a plurality
of husbands is highly respected. In
Thibet it is customary for the broth
ers of a family to have a wife in com
mon, and they generally live in har-
mony and comfort with her. Among
the Calmucks, the ceremony of mar
riage is performed on horseback. The
girl is first mounted and permitted to
ride off at full speed, when her lover
takes horse and gallops after her.
If he overtakes the fugitive she be-
comes his wife, and the marriage is
Iconsummated on the spot. 1t is said
that no instance is known of a Cal
muck girl ever being oyertaken I'M
less she is really fond Of her pursuer.
The Arabs divide their affections
between their horses and their wives,
and regard the purity of blood in the
former quite as much as in their off
spring. Polygamy is practised only
| by the rich, and divorces are rare.
In Ceylon the marriage proposals
| are brought about by the man first
| sending to her whom he wishes to be-
come his wife, to purchase her clothes.
These she sells for a stipulated sum,
generally asking as much as she be-
Iieves requisite for them to begin the
world with. In the evening he calls
on her, with the wardrobe, at her IA
theirs house, and they pass the night
in each others company. Next
morning, if mutually satisfied, they
appoint the day of marriage. They
are allowed to separate whenever
they please, and so frequently avail
themselves of this privilege that they
sometimes change a dozen times be-
fore their inclinations are wholly
suited.
In HindOStan the women have a
peculiar veneration for marriage, as
it is a part Of the popular creed that
those females who die virgins are ex-
cluded from the joys of paradise. In
that precious country tie women be.
gin to bear children at about the age
of twelve, some even at eleven. The
proximity of the natives Of India tc
the burning sun, which ripens men as
we'll as plants in these latitudes, is as
signed as the cause. The distinguish
ed mark Of the Hindoo wife is the
most profound fidelity, submission anC
attachment to her husband.
On the banks of the Senegal, anC
among many African tribes, the mat
rimonial prize most sought after il
abundance of flesh. To obtain corpu
lence is regarded as the only rea
cOmeliness. A female who can move
with the aid of two men is but mod
crate beauty, while the lady who can
not stir, and is only to be moved OF
a camel, is esteemed perfect para
gon,
Nor is this queer fancy for obesity
in women confined to the Savages o
the torrid zone, since we read o
" Wraxalls Travels in Russia" that
"in order to possess any pre-eminen
degree of loveliness, woman mus
weigh at least two hundred weight.
The Expresses Elizabeth and Catha
rine Ii, both accounted very fine wo
meG, were of this massive kind.
In Italy, matches are made witt
proverbial levity, and marriage vows
if reports speak truly, are easil.
broken. Young virgins are system
atically bartered and sold by thei
parents, and young people are mai
ried who never saw one another be
fole. Concubinage is constan
5 remedy for these ill advised and de