The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1869-09-15
Marriage In China.

Marriage, which forms the basis OF
domestic life, has been carefully and
minutelv regulated by Chinese legis-
%lation; and it is deeply impressed with
the character of domestic tyranny that
is found in the manners of all nations
placed out of the Influence of Chris
tianity. In speaking of the rites and
ceremonies observed in the celebration
of marriage, we have alluded to the
despotic authority ofparents over their
children; thus it is not the future we'd
ded pair, but their respective families
who make the first advances, fix the
wedding presents, arrange the articles
of the contract, etc. All these pre-
liminaries are adjusted through the in
tervention of third persons, who serve
as go-betweens, and haggle about the
price of the manageable merchandise.
Ween the bargain is concluded, the
parties are affianced. If either fami-
ly afterward refuse to ratify the con-
tract, its chief is condemned to receive
fifty strokes with the bamboo, and the
marriage is ordered to take place. In
cases where there has been no con-
tract, the acceptance of the parents is
considered as sufficient evidence of the
consent ofthe contracting parties.
1t is thus easy to conclude a mar
riage without at all consulting the
persons most interested, but this i,
only the case with the first marriage
The father of a family cannot COM
pei a son who has become a widower
to marry a second time, under penalty
of eighty strokes of the bamboo.
If between the betrothal and the
marriage the relations of the bride
promise her hand to another, the head
of the family receives seventy strokes
or eighty, if she had been already pre-
sented and approved. He who should
accept a promise of marriage, know
ing that negotiations were begun with
another, would also receive eighty
blows; but in cases where either party
can be proved to have been guilty OF
theft or adultry, the contract becomes
null and void.
The Chinese law points out certain
circumstances as obstacles to the for
nation of an alliance. There are alb
solute hindrances, relative hindrances-
or mere retardatory obstacles. 1t is
forbidden to marry during the time
fixed by law for the mourning of a
father, a mother, or a husband. A
marriage contractedS under these cir
cumstances is not only declared null,
but punished by hundred strokes OF
the bamboo.
The marriage contracted during tie
mourning for a grandfather or grand
mother, an uncle or an aunt, an elder
brother or elder sister, remains valid
but is punished, nevertheless, by eigh-
ty blows. A widow who has received
from the Emperor any distinction OF
rank during the Gfe7of her husband,
is punished by a hundred strokes if
she marry again, besides being degra-
| ded from her rank, and separated
from her new husband.
Marriages contracted between per
sons bearing the same family name,
with any one ~concealing himself on
account of some crime, or with actors
or musicians, arem themselves null
and void, and the de1inquents are pun
ished by a certain number of strokes
| of the bamboo.
One of the consequences of the man.
ner in which marriages are made in
China is the divorce, not merely for
determinate causes, but by mutual
consent. 1t seems natural enough that
persons who have been married with
out being consulted, should have at
least the permission to separate if they
can not agree. The husband may re-
pudiate his lawful wife for the follow
ing causes, some of which appear
rather whimsical: sterility, immortality.
contempt of the husbands father and
mother, propensity to SANDER or theft,
a jealous temper, or habitual i'll, OF
%enfeebled health.-Tsa Companies Id
yOcate.