The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-12-09
MPS. PARSONS'S PROPOSED PLAN HAS BEEN
PRACTICED FOR AGES BY MANY RACES

out his consent IN most OF the Christian
States OF Europe to-day the wife is given
the same rights in divorce as her hus-
band but In England other charges in
addition TO inmdolity must be proved
against the husband, and similar condi-
tions are f0tnd I'm italy. Spain and Por-
tugsu.
Among many savage tribes Sc is tho
custom 90 east Off the first wife wnen
she becomes old and ugly. This is true
of the Tahitians When Meut wife
"ceases 60 possess attractions OF value in
the eyes Of her husband she is sent back
TO her friends" A Malay frequently
turns away his wife as soon as she be-
comes ugly from hard work and maternal
cares. The Dyak husband dismisses his
helpmeet when she is too lazy or too
weak 20 work. and among tne Sinhalcss
sickness is "a common reason for the re-
pudiatiou of 81 wife.
But there IS another side to the proba-
ton problem. Many OF the lower races
view marriage as practically indissOlu-
bile relation. 70 bc ended only by death.
The Grecnlandcrs seldom repudiatc wives
VINO have children Among the NaudO-
wessies divorce is remarkably rare The
lrriquois in ancient times regarded sep
arati0n discroditahie to both man and
woman. Among the Patagonians mar
rage is Tor a life time. In Tonga mora
than han the married women are parted
from their husbands only by death.
Among tine Karens separations save BY
death are rare. The Zuius and Natallan
kaiirs generally marry Tor lie.
In the Ardamau islands il is said that
separation OF husband and wife is per-
mittcd for no cause whatever, and ths
same IS true Of certain Papuans and other
tribes ~ the Indian Archipelago which
retain ancient cistoms. Death alone sep~
arates tle Neddahs OF Cevion but as q
general rule there are comparatively few
peoples among whom separation OF hus-
band and wife is not practiced TO soma
extent. OF where the marriage probation
idea is not found in some phase Of its
development
The Burmese Tlrtars are devotees OF
the trial marriage idea. which has been
their custom frr centuries. Among tho
Heb Miaos. one OF The Burmese Tartar
tribes The Ercnr feast OF the nrst dav
or spring is made the day 90 wooing and
selection. Tho t0wnsucoplc gathered upon
"a high hill where the day ia spent in
feastlns. drnk.ns and listening to- love
songs. As dusk approaches the w0ocr
offers his oN-norn. which ho has used for
drinking purposes during the feast. 60 the
maiden of tis choice as sienal that
"Barks s wliin. lf bis suit is agree
able. and snn accepts. She gives him n
return her drinking horn as a sien Of be-
trothaL The wedding of the various COW
pies takes place on the nisht Of the feast:
but r. no child Isl born within a year. tho
marriage is declared Or hut ir isl the
man who gets the worst of this failure on
probation He is deharrCd from further
matrimonial experiments and becomes an
object of public charity. can never hold
a. tribal oahce. ard is held IN contempt
hr tho villagers The only .dceming
circumstance is THAI this matrimonial
castaway f. never mere required o. work.
DC is che only silver lining % his cloud.
A Hr SIR 81. e.
said Co nave been the custom among tho
an.-ent irish.