Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/190

170&#93; i7o] M A R or whitish congelation on the side accessible to the rays of the sun. — ilnother method consists in reduc- ing the roarle, when dv}', to small particles, which are to be thrown into a coal-tire ; where, if it be native or pure, it will crackle in a manner similar to salt. But the most certain criterion is, to break a small piece of dry marie into a glass of pare water ; in which, if -the substance be of the gennine .kind, it will speedily dissolve ; forming a soft, almost impalpa- ble paste, and throwing up many bubbles or sparkles to the sur- face (f the water. The experiment may be repeated with vinegar, in which fluid the etfervescence will be considerabl}' stronger : in both cases, lx)vever, it will be necessa- ry to keep the glass steady ; as otherwise, if it be agitated, the in- testine motion cannot be distindly observed. A good artificial marie may be prepared, by mixing equal (]uanti- ties of pure clay and lime, in alter- nate la'ers, so as to form a heap, which should be exposed to the xinter frost : tliis compound is well calculated for lightlands ; but, •if the soil be strong and heavy, it will be necessary to substitute loam and sand for the clay. — Sucii com- positions may be usefully employ- ed, where marie is not eas.ly procur- ed ; as they will amply repay the hiboar bestov/ed on mixing them, being little inferiof to the genuine calcareous earth. ■ Makl-grass. See Clover, the Common. . MARRIAGE, a contraft both civil and religious between a man and 3 woman, by hich they en- gnge to live together in mutual fiiendship, and love, during -thS remainder of their days. MAR • Matrimony has been instituted among all enlightened nations, for the wisest of purposes ; and, as the contracl continues in force for life, such partner ought to be chosen with the utmost circumspeftion. — If this circumstance were always duly weighed, there would certain- ly be fewer of those unnatural marriages, in which bloomms: youth is united to the aged or de- erepid. One of the most important points that merits constant attention, is the healtlihiess of the parties.-— Those who are the obvious vidims ot hereditary disease, ought, in cotitbrmity to every principle of justice and of reason, to be sus- pended from the connubial rites. Similar limitations shou d be ob- .served with respect to the union of deformed p: rsons, especially fe- males, for whom a state of celibacy is doubtless more eligible j unless it appear from proper inquiry, that, notwithstanding their external de- formity, they are full)' competent to discharge the dignihed maternal duties. Farther, an equality in point of natural disposition, tempo- ral fortune, and of age, in both parties, should, as far as possible, regulate the choice. — In the latter respeft, the most proper period in general appears to be (in temper- ate climates) between the age of 18 and 20 in the female, and from 22 to 24 in the male sex. Marriage is considered by the English law wholly as a civil con- tract, the san6tity of the matrimo- nial state being left to the Ecclesi- astical Court, which is empowered to punish or annul incestuous or other unscriptural marriages. It admits all as good and valid, pro- vided the parties, at the time of concluding the contracl^ were not legally