MARRIAGE OF FIRST COUSINS PROHIBITED BY NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 272, 23 November 1870, Page 2

MARRIAGE OF FIRST COUSINS PROHIBITED BY NEW HAMPSHIRE.

The Legislature of the State of New Hampshire ha 3 just achieved a piece of heroic legislation which i 3 sufficiently significant. After, the 24th December,. 1869, this local and paternal Government directs that first co sins shall not intermarry within the confines of its territory. This suggests a good many considerations as to the"point at which, state interference with the Jiberty of the subject must end ; and it is not too much to say that there is scarcely any other topic of public interest that is So completely in chaos. As to the great desirability of first cousins not intermarrying, there can be no doubt. Medical testimony traces th« most ghastly evils to this cause; and con|mon .experience is full of instances oE-.t^b^Sire^Asultaqfit. Physical; deformity, decay,' and; insanity are the natural fruits of this intermafrrying, which is the rule: rather th.an.the exception, among many noble families in England. Even where there are no immediate evil results from this too close intermingling of blood.: the effects of such a marriage may be only postponed for a generation. ' It is' surely very desirable that such marriages should not take place*; and that young people;, who ..may be. inclined to laugh at bugbears which they deem" imaginary, should be taught, ..not only the risk they run in 'the present, but also^fche duty they owe to the future! We doubt very much, however, whether the State Legislature of Now Hampshire was wise in translating their wiih into a compulsory law.— Examiner.