The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-10-20

! the balance OF power inclincs somewhat IN ,bi
favor. II now we turn to the polvro
sian groups OF the Pacific. we find u,Y,
polygamy was formerly allowed in ,bc
Sandwich Islands. that divorce was easrv
obtained. and that near consangulneous
marriages were frequent in the roynl family.
brothers and sisters sometimes MARRYING So
too. in Otahete a plurality Of wives was con-
mon. and marriage or divorce was Effected byn
voluntary agreement OF the parties. The Sumo
thing may DO said Of the Tonga Islands al.
though here married women arc said to hold n
| very good status. In Samoa poygamv
| and concubinage obtain, but consider
able care is taken to prevent any union
between near relatives. so much 80 that
list OF what are deemed improper mar.
riages would almost compare with our ega
tables OF kindred and affinity. On the othn
hand. tho concubine is generally tho daughter
OF the wifes brother. Among the New Yea.
landcrs. fathers wives descended TO their sons
ana. in accordance with custom which wa
know obtained at one time among the ancient
| Hebrews. the wives OF dead brother
arc made over to tho surviving broth.
ers. We may note. further. that in
New Zealand. women elevate their husbands
in the social scale. and not men their wives land
in general Notwithstanding poyRamy Ia per
mitted. women are allowed considerable priv
| iloges. many exercising Rrent influence over
their tribes. From the Malay archipelago
many interesting data under the same head
are collected. Thus 1t appears that among
the Dyaks OF Borneo regular courtshp exists,
and the unmarried girls are at perfect
! liberty ~ choose thor mates. Polyenmy
is noe practised Mt all by the sea Dyaks.
and In the uplnnds II ls so rarc that. although
| chiefs sometimes indulge In 1t. they are apt to
] 4. hi. l.a Al.
| tribe. the Kyans. even the greatest chiefs take
but one wife. and. considering II shameful to
mix their blood never have any intercourse
with the inferior women or slaves. Tho degrees
Of consanguinity prohibited by Dyak custom
correspond with our own. and any infringe.
ment OF these rules is heavily fined. Every.
whore among the Dyak inhabitants
! OF Borneo females arc we'll treated;
their share Of work is not unreasonable. while
their influence in the family Ia considerable
Divorces are not uncommon. but seldom occur
after the birth OF n child; and ii is noteworthy
that. on the ground of wifo's performing an
equal share Of work. she Is entitled upon di.
vorcc to one-hali of the wealth created by their
mutual abors. We may add that. as rule.
among some ofthe tribes. the husband lives with
and works for the wifes parents. In Sumatra
there are three sorts Of marriages. In one the
wife is purchased in another the husband who
may be divorced ut pleasure. and must return
naked as no came. Tho third form adopted
from the Malays is n regular treaty between the
parties on q footing OF equality. Sumairan
manners do not admit Of much antecedent
courtship. the youth Of both sexes being care.
fully kept asunder. and the young women
seldom trusted from under tho wing of their
mothers. In Sumatra wife married by
purchase may he divorced and the hus-
ks,a Fl. -, H. kna
paid. less twenty i've dollars for the damage he
has done her. In Java. rs in France. marriages
are invariably contracted. not by the parties
themselves. but by the parents Of relations on
their behalf. Any interference on the part Of
, the bride would be ostcrmed highly indecorous.
Before the introdL zion OF 1slnm. the BRIDE
groom. niter securing the consent Of relations.
was bound TO serve the parenr Of the bride for
n stated term as in Old Tatament history
Jacob served for Rachel. In no part OF tho
world.are divorces moro frequent than In Java.
yet Railles says. summing up the marital rea-
lions NJ tho Jn,anese What is remarkable,
the very people who break tho marriage tie on
tho slightest caprice or the most vague pre-
tence. nrc yet uncommonly vutchful over 1t
while 1t remains entire"
The religious ideas and ceremonies which
, obtain among the lowest Of the exiant types Of
man have been collected By Professor Duncan
from the works OF scores Of travellers whose
observations have been carefully winnowod
and diRcs;ed. In the LIGHT RI the evidence
brought forward many popular misconceptions
will bc dispelled or gravey modified. We learn,
= for instance. that the Anlaman Islanders mani
fest no notions whatever Of Supreme Being or
of future existence. They hqyo no tradition
and apparently no notion OF their own origin.
, According % DO Butts. neth'y tho village nor