The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-07-09

that of his wife; which, again. is derived from
her house, each dwelling retaining its own
name, which must be borne by its successive
owners. Even in cases where the hus-
band is possessed of independent wealth,
but lives upon the property of his wife, the
rights of the head of the family remain
intact He cannot remove either his children
or hls wife from her house; he cannot give
permission to his younger sons to leave the
maternal roof, though his wife NAV do so.
Should she leave him a widower, her mother,
II living, has, at Bareges, more authority
over his children than he has himself. He
is not allowed to administer their property.
nor to be master of their house; without their
consent he cannot bring home second wife:
and, In Soule, where the epoux dotal enjoys
quarter of the property of his deceased
wife, he is not permitted to establish a second
wife upon even this share, without the con-
sent of the surviving grandparent. Should he
be childless, his dowry is indeed, returned
to him. but, like the Irish tenant, he has no
security for any improvements made upon his
wife property.
Generally speaking, every wife is free to
make will, at the age of eighteen. without
the consent of her husband; in Soule girl
who has inherited her property may beoueath
at hfteen. The consent of the head OF the
house is indeed needful to the marriage of
the eldest child in extreme youth; later. how
ever, not only is he (and exactly the same
fule applies to daughters case) free to
marry without conseat, but if he pay the
dowry which nA received With bis wife
into the hands of the proprietary
parent, the latter is compelled to share
his goods, and even his house, with the
newly married couple. Among the French
Basques a similar arrangement takes place
in the second, and even in the third genera
ton; separate houses are frequently built
for the accommodation of the young house
holds; but if there be but one, it must be
shared. Such plan it need scarcely be said,
does not conduce to family harmony, espe-
cially as, where only one parent survives,
should he, after the division, be guilty OF
waste or extravaganza in the management of
his share, it may be taken from him, aud
added to the portion of the younger pair.
In Soule, the magistracy is hereditary, and
devolves upon 1.-The sieurs on demoiselles" OF
certain noble families. The ladies do not,
however, exercise the privilege, but they
transmit it to their eldest sons or can secure
it to their husbands, if they be judged worthy
of the honor. Although women do not, nova
days, take part in public matters among the
Basques, yet there is evidence TO show that
they formerly did SO, at least to some extent.
In the year 1916, the Abbe of Lavedeu
having consulted the inhabitants OF Cau-
of changing the site of their town, the qUes-
tion was put to the vote, and an authentic docu-
ment is still extant bearing the names OF the
voters. Among these are many names of
women, of which only one corresponds with
that OF any man upon the list They were not,
therefore, married to any of the masculine
voters. They may have been wives of younger
sons, to whom no vote was accorded, or
widows, or unmarried women in possession OF
their property Monsieur Lagrese, whose re-
searches disinterred this doou-
ment justly points to the sub
iect as one which deserves further
investigation. We commend it to the no.
tice of those who wish to see women admitted
to share in the franchise, and even now,
should any of Mr.. Mills disciples stray, in
their summer wanderings, to the beautiful
little village of st. Jean de Luz, at the foot
of the Western Pyrenees, they may have the
pleasure OF observing people among whom
the woman is-at least before the law-con-
sidered the equal Of the man.-AN tie Year
Round.