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 others, again, conceiving that the mere celebration of the marriage in such a country is sufficient.

"That your petitioners have reason to believe that numerous marriages of this kind, especially between widowers and their deceased wives' sisters, have been solemnized abroad since the passing of the act of 5th & 6th Will. 4, c. 64.

"That, in the opinion of your petitioners, such a state of the law is highly inexpedient; being calculated to create doubts as to the legitimacy of children, to promote litigation amongst the nearest relatives, and to place the titles to numerous estates upon an insecure footing."

The existence of the evil, and its extent, are therefore clearly proved; and no remedy has been or can be suggested but an Act to legalize such marriages. This, however, is opposed on two grounds: first, that they are contrary to religion; secondly, that they are contrary to sound policy.

The Levitical precepts form the basis of the religious objection, and it is assumed that these are binding on Christians, and that the degree of affinity in question is within them. It would be easy to shew by the authority of the best and most venerated writers on sacred subjects (including Jeremy Taylor), that they are not binding on Christians, any more than the other marriage laws or customs of the Jews, which