thus levelled with brutes, and deemed no more dignified than dogs or bulls, the increase of which, for the purpose of combat, would afford profit or amusement to the proprietors. Another reason for the encouragement of matrimony is the influence which it has on morality; and this is certainly a powerful motive with respect to the majority of mankind, but it is not of universal application. A difference of opinion existed as to the moral effects of matrimony among the early Christians; the Abelians, for instance, suffered no member of their sect to remain single, while the Novatians condemned marriage under every circumstance. A third argument is the increase of human happiness; and this will be the natural result, if virtue be increased and the evils of life be lessened. To this subject I shall hereafter refer.

The fashion or custom of marriage has varied in different countries. In the eastern parts of the globe polygamy has prevailed; and thus we find in the sacred Scriptures an account of Ashur, Elkanah of Mount Ephraim, Lamech, and several others, who had two wives each. We also discover many allusions to this practice, not condemnatory but favourable to it. In Deuteronomy, for instance, it is said, "If a man have two wives, one beloved," &c. In Leviticus it is commanded that no one shall take two sisters for his wives at the same time, because thereby envy and contention may be produced. In the same volume we find an account of Abijah king of Judah, who had fourteen wives; of Rehoboam, who had eighteen wives, and eighty concubines; of David, who had a great

number of both; and of Solomon, who possessed 700 wives and 300 concubines. It has been usual in Eastern countries, from the Earliest ages, to estimate the wealth and grandeur of a king by the number of his wives; and as there has existed no divine or human law to limit that number, no one has acted illegally in maintaining a large household. It is the same with riches in the present day: wealth beyond a certain amount is useless, except for the gratification of pride and the indulgence of luxury; but a king is not considered criminal in possessing a more splendid residence, and more costly furniture than his subjects could boast of. Polygamy seems only to be adapted for the eastern and southern parts of the globe; for in these countries the number of girls which are brought into existence is greater than that of boys; whereas in Europe the males are to the females as twentyone to twenty. It has been asserted that, at Bantam, in the island of Java, there are twice as many girls born as boys. In that country, as well as in many others, the women perform all the labour, and a company of athletic females serves as the bodyguard of the king. There is another reason why polygamy may have been natural, and almost necessary, in some countries: wars were so prevalent and sanguinary, that men were not sufficiently numerous to allow of the proportion of one husband to one wife. It was customary in the taking of cities to destroy the men and spare the women. In the northern parts of the globe, then, monogamy is proper, because it seems to be required by

the New Testament, and the proportion of males to females demands it. In the southern and eastern parts of the globe polygamy was proper, because the laws allowed it, and the superfluous number of women required it. But it is questionable whether the influence of true religion, even in Eastern countries, will not, at no distant period, introduce those customs which will more equalise the sexes; and when monogamy is introduced, it will be probable, for physiological reasons, that the number of births of both sexes will be nearly equal. Polygamy is not the most favourable condition for happiness; but in countries where this custom prevails, and where it is deemed honourable, there is much more harmony than would exist in this land, where the practice is disgraceful. The disputes in one case arise between the husband and wife, in the other case between one wife and another. A Mahomedan who would beat his wife would be deemed an unprincipled fellow: there seems to be no reason why the same judgment should not be passed on those who practise this vice in our own country.

The laws of the Romans did not prohibit polygamy; but it was never practised until Marc Antony set the example. It was introduced and allowed in the early ages of the Christian church, but it was soon prohibited. There have been some particular cases in latter times where a plurality of wives has been suffered. Luther allowed Philip, Landgrave of Hesse, to have two wives; and one of the popes granted a dispensation of a similar kind to Count Gleichen of Germany. The

The count was taken Turkey, where he was One day the daughter

story is related by Bayle. prisoner and carried into kept in a state of slavery. of his master, a beautiful woman, met him in one of the gardens, and asked him several questions. She was so much pleased with his answers, that she visited him again; and novelty threw around both its fascinations, so that they became delighted with each other. She told him that she would procure his liberty, and go with him to his native land, for she was tired of her present abode, on one condition, which was rather implied than expressed,

that he would marry her. But he was unfortunately obliged to answer that he had a wife and several children. That is no objection, she replied, for we allow a man to have several wives. The count resolved to make the agreement, and to run every risk for the result. He became free; and he conducted the Turkish lady to his home. His former wife treated the foreigner with much kindness, because she had restored her husband: they agreed to live peaceably together; and the pope granted a special dispensation for the second marriage.

In some countries there have been several husbands for one wife. And really, as men and women are equal in many respects, in intellect, if it be improved; in corporeal strength, if the muscular power be brought into early action; in disposition and in virtue; and as females are superior in the gift of tongues, there seems to be no reason why there should not be a superiority of privilege on the side of the wife in some countries, as there

is on that of the husband in others. It is said that, in the northern part of China, a woman may have several husbands at the same time. And the Nairs, or noble ladies among the Malabars, are allowed to have from one to twelve husbands. Every husband resides in a separate dwelling, at a small distance from the lady; and on one particular day in the week the whole family dine together.

Without doubt, the most favourable custom for human happiness is the union of one husband with one wife; and this law, as it relates more particularly to ourselves, "is," as Montesquieu observes, "physically conformable to the climate of Europe." Very severe penalties have been inflicted on those men who have broken down the rules of custom and decency in this part of the globe, by taking a plurality of wives. In Sweden, and some other countries, it has been punished with death.

The period for marriage has varied very much in different parts of the world. Among the Agows of Abyssinia (says Bruce) the women are married at the early age of eleven. In America, marriages are frequently contracted at fourteen. In the East, it is not unusual for a woman to be inducted into the bonds of matrimony, or concubinage, at twelve or thirteen. But among the Gauls it was reckoned disgraceful to be married early. The Germans possessed a feeling of a similar kind. In Europe generally, among the more respectable classes, marriage is rather late. Aristotle thought the proper period for matrimony among men was thirty-seven; and among women eighteen. Plato recommended thirty for males, and twenty for