Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 5 1887.djvu/235

Rh guinity, as tending to institute or perpetuate hereditary disease. This opinion is so strongly held, that marriage between those related by blood even in the hundredth degree is condemned, though it no doubt takes place under strong incentives, such as the desire to keep money in the family. On the other hand, relationship on the mother's side is taken into no account.

The money paid by the parents of the bridegroom-elect to those of the girl is not looked upon as her price but as a set-off against the expense incurred in bringing her up, and is a sort of settlement upon the parents.

The usual age for betrothal is that of puberty. A go-between is selected by the family of the boy to proceed to that of the bride, to obtain her eight characters—two being for the year of her birth, two for the month, two for the day, and two for the hour,—in order to examine her horoscope. The go-between prefaces the conversation by inquiring whether the girl has yet got a mother-in-law. The answer being in the negative, she requests permission to find one for her, and mentions the boy as a suitable match. A lengthy conversation then ensues, both sides professing entire indifference to the decision of a question which they are both most eager to have settled in the affirmative. The go-between is dismissed with an evasive answer, but after the consent of the idol has been obtained—the belief that marriages are made in heaven being as prevalent in China as elsewhere—the assent of the parents is signified, and the parties become engaged. It is customary at this time to state what station the girl is intended to occupy—whether that of first or of second wife. Considerable difference of opinion prevails as to the position which the latter holds, some looking upon her as an inferior wife, others as a superior slave. There can be no doubt that her status is decidedly beneath that enjoyed by the wife proper, but to what extent is vague, and depends in all probability on the feelings with which her husband regards her. Offences committed against her are by law punishable two degrees less severely than those affecting the wife; and on her marriage, though she partakes in the worship of her husband's ancestral tablets, she is excluded from that of heaven and earth. Respectable parents would be averse to giving their child to be