he is now introduced to her and speaks to her, perhaps for the first time in his life. Their friends then indulge for several days in feast and entertainments, corres, ponding to their rank and wealth. Many of the femalesaccording to the invariable Mahometan custom, are strictly excluded from general society, and must see none of the male sex except their husbands; they are immured like slaves in the apartments of the harem.

IN CAFFRARIA,

The female has still less influence and authority in the selection of a husband, than in Barbary. The negociation is carried on exclusively between the young man seeking a wife, and the parents of her whose hand he solicits in marriage. Her acquiescence is not sought for a moment but she is taught to regard herself as the absolute property of her father, and makes no calculation but to accept the hand of the man who makes the purchase. As an equivalent for his daughter who has long graced the domestic circle, and who would perhaps perfer death to a separation from the fireside of her childhood, he has the cold and more than brutal want of affection to accept an ox or a couple of cows! One

good result, hower, follows even this savage and unfeeling custom-it prevents polygamy to any considerable extent among the common people; for they cannot readily command the means to secure its indulgence. The ceremonials of marriage are similar to those of Barbary. The women are described as of a lively and agreeable disposition, and never troubled with sadness and melancholy except when dancing!

MADAGASCAR.

In Madagascar, a man can have but one wife according to law, but just as many concubines as his circumstances and lustful appetite will afford. The females of this great island, which contains a population of some three or four millions, are not reduced to a state of positive slavery, as they are in many other savage nations, but possess great influence over their husbands. They are very licentious, however, both before and after marriage; and it is said that few marriages take place without previous commerce. They have no marriage ceremony whatever, but live together as husband and wife by mutual consent. Unmarried females regard

it as an honour to have children by strangers and foreigners. Incontinence and adultery are punished only as petty offences-another picture of barbarism and degradation which some of our state legislatures seem emulous to imitate.

CEYLON.

In Ceylon, one of the principal marriage ceremonies consists in tying together the clothing of the bridegroom and bride, to signify that they are bound together for life. This ceremony is performed in the presence of their friends, and with such festivities as the condition of the parties will admit.

JAVA.

In Java there are three kinds of marriages. The first and most common is, where the parties are of equal condition, or the bridegroom is the superior of the bride; the second is, where the wife's station is much higher than that of the husband; and the third is a sort of half marriage, the offspring of which are not on an equality with the other children. This marriage is quite uncere

monious, but the two other kinds are celebrated with some display. The first wife is always the head of the family.

Girls in Java are married at so early an age, that a single woman of twenty-two is almost unheard of. A price is always paid by the bridegroom. The bridegroom, splendidly mounted, accompanied by his friends, with music, goes to salute his bride. She comes out and meets them with a low obeisance. They sit together on an elevated seat, and eat out of the same dish, after which they go to the mosque, and the nuptials are celebrated according to the Mahommedan ritual. Then comes a wedding procession through the village, a grand feast, and at the end of five days, another procession, in which the bride is conducted to her husband's house. In some places the spinning wheel, loom and kitchen utensils are carried in the bridal procession. In others, the bride washed the bridegroom's feet in token of subjection.

SUMATRA.

In Sumatra, the Battas have as many wives as they please, generally five or six, who all live in the same apartment with their common husband, but cach has a

separate fireplace. Husbands purchase their wives of their fathers-in-law, and gamble them away or sell them whenever they choose.

Among the Redjangs, another tribe, besides the purchase of wives, a man is sometimes adopted by a girl's father as a son-in-law and both are subject to the parent; and there is another marriage, where both man and woman pay an equal price, and are on a perfect equality. The ceremonies are very simple.

BORNEO.

In Borneo, no man is allowed to solicit a damsel in marriage, until he has cut off the head of an enemy. When this condition is fulfilled, the lover makes presents to his mistress; if they are accepted, an entertainment is given by her parents, and on the ensuing day by his parents. After the feast, the bridegroom is conducted home to the house of the bride. At the door, a friend sprinkles him with the blood of a cock, and her with the blood of a hen; the parties then give each other their bloody hands, and from that time they live together. If a man loses his wife, he cannot marry a second till he cuts off the head of another enemy.