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BIRMAH. 89
ability of the bridegroom, is prepared, in which the
assembled family connexions participate. The mar-
ried pair taste a mixture of the tea-leaf steeped in oil,
(which is the form of sealing all contracts,) eat together
from the same plate, and, exchanging their reci-
procal promises, they
twain are made one flesh.
Unfortunately, however, for the perpetuity of conjugal
felicity, in no country, perhaps, is the marriage-contract
regarded with so little respect, or maintained
with so little propriety as in Birmah. No disgrace is
attached to a divorced husband or wife. Slight occa-
sions originate verbal abuse, and these quarrels are
often protracted till both parties seek that remedy
which is to be found, in their country, in any common
court of justice. Polygamy is not only allowed, but
abounds in this country. Money is not offered to
obtain a female as a wife, but for the purchase of
bond-maids as concubines. If a concubine of this sort
wishes to be released, the terms of her departure are
made easy. A high sense of female chastity not being
prevalent, the consequences are obvious. The male
sex conceive themselves by nature, both physically and
mentally, the superior: hence are seen lordship in
the one sex, and subjection in the other. A brother
exercises over a sister, and a husband over a wife, con-
trol at pleasure, and applies, if need require, the shoe,
the rod, the foot, the palm of the hand, or even the
point of the elbow, to correct the forwardness or obstinacy
of the weaker vessel. Among the higher and
more polite circles, however, this right is n