CHAPTER VII. WOMAN AND THE MARRIAGE INSTITUTION IN DIFFERENT NATIONS. MARRIAGE is the union of one man and one woman, by which they become mutually pledged to sustain the relationship of husband and wife, until death shall dissolve the compact. It is ever assumed that this union is the result of mutual love and free choice. However parents and guardians may advise and direct, it will be universally admitted that the choice and decision should be with the parties entering into the compact. No doubt much of the social misery of the world is the result of forced marriages. What can be expected when persons of ungenial dispositions are bound together by the con WOMAN AND THE MARRIAGE INSTITUTION. 111 straint of others, and without love between themselves? No wonder that jealousies, indifference, dislike, and infidelities should be the result. But the process of espousals and publicly ratifying the marriage compact are very diversified. Of course the Hebrews will present to us the earliest authentic information on the subject. No doubt No doubt many of the customs of the Egyptians and other ancient nations would lose half of their apparent grotesque or absurd forms, if we were better acquainted with the reasons on which they are grounded. We, however, shall glean some of the unquestionable facts in relation to the ancient Romans, Grecians, and others, and then briefly refer to the more singular customs that have obtained among the less civilised nations of the world. Among some barbarous tribes, a chase after the bride, and forcibly conducting her to the abode of her physical conqueror, is the only marriage rite. With others, when there is more than one suitor, personal contests of skill or physical force decides who is to be the possessor of the lady. The precise position of the marriage ceremonial as to its civil or religious aspect we leave to the understandings and consciences of the persons interested to decide. THE JEWS. The ancient Jews celebrated their marriages in a manner much like that which still prevails in the East. The wedding festival lasted several days, as may be seen in the case of Samson, and of Jacob, at an earlier period. On the last day the bride was conducted to the house of the bridegroom's father. The procession generally set off in the evening with much ceremony and pomp. The companions of each attended them with songs and music of instruments. The way as they went along was lighted by numerous torches. In the meantime, another company, consisting of the young friends of the bridegroom, was waiting at the bridegroom's house, ready at the first notice of their approach to go forth and meet them. They joined themselves to the procession, and the whole company moved forward to the house, where an entertainment was provided for them, and the remainder of the evening was spent in cheerful participation of the marriage supper, with such social merriment as suited the joyous occasion. In modern times, the Jews have a regular formal marriage rite by which the union is solemnly ratified. The parties stand up under a canopy, each covered by a veil; some grave person takes a cup of wine, pronounces a short blessing, and hands it to be tasted by both; the bridegroom puts a ring on the finger of the bride, saying, By this ring thou art my spouse according to the custom of Moses and the children of Israel! The marriage contract is then read and given to the bride's relations; another cup of wine is brought and blessed six times, when the married couple taste it, and pour the rest out in token of cheerfulness; and to conclude all, the husband dashes the cup itself against the wall, and breaks it all to pieces, in memory of the sad destruction of their once glorious temple. THE GREEKS. One of the most eminent and popular writers on physiology, and all things relating to the science of human life and relationships, Mr. L. N. Fowler, of New York, gives a very graphic account of the Greeks, Chinese, and others, and we shall give several extracts from his invaluable work—“ Marriage, its History, and Philosophy." We should rejoice to learn that it had been as heartily read in Europe, as it is extensively appreciated in America. In the ancient Greece, twelve hundred years before Christ, Matrimony was viewed of so much importance, and was regarded so choice a blessing, that the strongest anathema that could be denounced against a man, was to say, that 'he deserved not to enjoy the rights of a citizen, the protection of a subject, or the happiness of domestic life.' Woman attained as high a rank, and probably higher, in that country, than any other, where the doctrines of the Bible had not been disseminated. It was customary among the Greeks of the heroic ages, by whom the charms of beauty and female loveliness were respected, to celebrate the conjugal union with all the pomp and circumstance of religious festivity. The hymeneal song was sung to cheer and gladden the hearts of the happy pair-the joyous band carried the nuptial torches in pride and ostentation through the city—the lustral waters were drawn from the consecrated fountain-and many revered ceremonies conspired to render the connection of husband and wife comparatively respectable and sacred. But woman was far from being considered the EQUAL companion of her husband. She was not regarded as the MOTHER, the |