Whatever their education, our women have always found that such independence as they could earn by hard work was less satisfactory than the dependence, coupled with assured comfort and ease, which they enjoy as the consorts, playthings, or slaves of the other sex; and they are only too glad to barter their legal equality for the certainty of protection, indolence, and permanent support." "Then your marriages," I said, "are permanent ?" "Not by law," he replied.

"Nothing like what our remote ancestors called marriage is recognised at all.

The maidens who come of age each year sell themselves by a sort of auction, those who purchase them arranging with the girls themselves the terms on which the latter will enter their family.

Custom has fixed the general conditions which every girl expects, and which only the least attractive are forced to forego.

They are promised a permanent maintenance from their master's estate, and promise in return a fixed term of marriage.