Page:The Diothas, or, A far look ahead (IA diothasorfarlook01macn).pdf/158

 From the universal diffusion of property, there was no financial difficulty to prevent any man marrying as soon as he attained the legal age. The difficulty, in many cases, was of an entirely different nature,—the impossibility of finding a wife. From various causes the proportion of women to men, at the age of thirty, had steadily decreased, till for some time it had been about a hundred to a hundred and five. There was, accordingly, a brisk competition for the hand of every marriageable maid or widow. Widowers rarely had an opportunity of marrying a second time. In the case of a widow, however, she was regarded as fulfilling a social duty should she see fit to accept the hand and gladden the heart of some lonely suitor.

Marriage being regarded as the most important step in life, and practically irrevocable,—for divorce, though allowed by the law in certain specified cases, was almost unknown,—the intercourse of the young people of both sexes was surrounded by a number of restrictions. These had for object the prevention of hasty choice and too early union.

Till the age of twelve, there was no difference in the training of boys or girls. They attended the same classes, joined in the same sports. At twelve a slight change was made in the style of dress, as also in the course of study. The girls henceforth wore the selean, or long tunic, and attained to the dignity of a colored border to the same. The boys now had their long hair cut short, and began to wear the shorter male tunic.

From this time till the age of seventeen, though the young people mostly attended the same classes, they sat