The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-09-21

S~~N -
divorce. Another branch of the Celtic
race, the Gauls, were polygamous when
Cesar wrote his Commentaries, and we may
infer that like custom prevailed origin
ally among the irish In one part, in
deed, of the old tale of The Spoil Of the
Co,u8 of Froech, edited by Mr.. Grove, from
the Book Of Leinster, it is clearly implied
that Froech was already married, and had
three children, when he came to sue for
the hand of Findabair, the daughter of
Medb and Ailell, the King and Queen of
the Conachta; but it seems doubtful
whether this is anything more than one of
the inconsistencies in these stories, result
ing, perhaps, from the blending of differ
ent versions of ancient NEUROLOGICAL trad-
| tions, Whether or not this narrative really
contains evidence of the existence of poly
gamy in what may be called the Irish heroic
age-that extra historic period to which
the Tain-Bo- Chuailpg, and the other an
cent legends of Medb and Ailell, of Gu
Chulaiud and his fellow companions are
ceferred-the Irish Of still early bat less
shadowy times are found to be monoga-
nous, but with such laxity of usage in the
matter of divorce as to suggest, according
to the opinion of Sir Henry Maine, sort
of translation period from the one-mar-
riage system to the other. While the hus-
band himself could break the marriage
bond on various pretexts, Irish law also
duly defines the grounds ON which the wife
could separate from him. The latter pro-
visions illustrate the frequently fancful
character Of system was not built up, like
modern English law, on actual cases, but
in large part elaborated by a special class,
who assumed the cases for which they
sought to provide. The strict protection
extended to the rights of the woman,
whether as wife or as the associate of
her husband in the headship of the house
hold and as member of the tribe, is a
noticeable feature. If the husband slan-
| bGlta hOLi IL LIZ hlhbO iCl SoiitCb PoADiC
by ridicule; if he beat her so as to leave a
mark on her face; if he was unfaithful 10
her; if he had given her a love potion be-
fore marriage; Or if-the yaguest provision
he denied her her ullrights in all things,
coniugal domeslic and tribal-in each of
these cases she could leave him. aud gener-
lily was entitled to keep her coibche that
is the king or other value wherewith the
husband "bought" her at marriase--and
to claim, moreover compensation proper.
.ionate to her rank. The native annaE
md the notices of English writers beal
constant witness to the evils resulting from
he loose matrimonial system which thu
avs sanctioned, and which even Chris
ianity had not been able TO largely affect
''Town-dwellers seldome make any contract
Of marriage with them of the country, and
-hese passe tLeir promise not for present,
,ut for the future time; or else give as
sent without any deliberation. Whence il
$, that for every light falling out they
,Art asunder, the husband to another wo-
nan, the wife to another husband; neither
IS it ever knowne for certainty whether
,aeir contracts have been true or false be
lore they give up their last graspe. Hence
Use contentious about the possession OF
/ nds hence grow robberies, depredations
nansltuYhters, and deadly hatred. The
women that are cast off zoe to witches fol
;ounsell. Nothing is there SO com
non us divorces nnder pretense of con-
cience." At the Synod held by the Irisl
,,rclates at Cushel, after the arrival OF
Henry H., we find them framing canons
Igainst polygamy and incestuous mar
fiages. Pope Adrian ~. says in one oI
LIS briefs: "ro pass by other enormit,es,
men openly bring in their stepmothers
md blush not to beget children by them,
,rtter aIaore tratris go vjoente abmitur, anus St
Iuabus sororibus miscet ct plertque ItorNzn
usutra reIica, yfIias introduc4nt - Frusa'
Mayasine.