Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 112, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 May 1919 — WIFE ONCE BOUGHT [ARTICLE]

WIFE ONCE BOUGHT

Proceeding Many Centuries Ago Was Universal. Preoont-Day “Marriage Portion” May Be Regarded as a Symbol of Old Custom —Some Curious Wedding Ceremonies. MP ... Among far older civilisations than that of the Anglo-Saxon the system of wife-purchase had ceased before Britain was a real country. The Indian law-giver, Manu, strictly forbade it and said: "A man who, through avarice, takes a gratuity, is a seller of his offspring.” In the historical times of the Greeks they no longer bought wives. In Rome “coemptlo” was only a symbol of the ancient custom. In the Jewish Talpiud the purchase is also symbolic, as Is frequently the Mohammedan “mabr.” Withal, the bride price, “foster leans" and marriage gifts, when returned, were converted into dowry and became at first the bride’s property. Thus marriage portions chiefly derived their origin from the habit of’purchase, and dowry often became, as with the Hebrews, a religious duty. Not less than the tenth of the father's property was considered a just dowry. In Aristotle's time nearly two-fifths of all Sparta belonged from this cause to the women. Sir Henry Maine considers that the ajpazlng thrift of the French is also owing to this custom, which probably descended to them from the marriage law of Augustus Caesar. It was only by an anachronism that Euripides made Medea lament that women were obliged to purchase husbands at a -great price. And It is often as true today as when the Latin poet sang. When marriage ceremonies first did arise V was by degrees and in many ways, fend customs such as capture when superseded became by symbolism a part of the succeeding legal form or contract. To eat maize pudding from the same plate or to eat in any way together is a widely distributed marriage ceremony. In Brazil a couple may be married by drinking brandy together; in Japan by so many cups of wine; in Russia and Scandinavia it used to be one cup for both. The joining of hands among Romans and Hindus is common in many parts of the world. In Scotland it is called "hand fasting,” and couples live together after. To sit on one seat while receiving friends or to have the hands of each tied together with grass, or to smear with each other’s blood, or for the woman to tie a cord- of her own twisting around the naked waist of the man constitutes marriage In one place or another. In Australia a woman carries fire to her lover's hut and makes a fire for him. A Loango negress cooks two dishes for him in his own hut. In Croatia the bridegroom boxes the bride’s ears, and tn Russia the father formerly struck his daughter gently with a new whip—for the last time—and then gave the weapon to her husband.