TRIAL MARRIAGES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 841, 13 June 1910, Page 3

TRIAL MARRIAGES.

■ The trial marriage is an ineradicable custom among the Esquimaux (writes Commander Peary). If: n young man anil woman are "not suited with each other, they try again, and sometimes several limes; but when they find mates to . whom they are adapted' the arrangement? are generally permanent. If two men want - to marry the same woman they settle the question by a trial of strength, and the best man has his way. These struggles are not fights, as the disputants are amiable. If a man grows tired .of his wife, lie simply tells her there is no room for her. in his Igloo.' She may'return to her parents, if they are living; she may go to a brother or sister, or she may send word to some man in the trilMi that she is now at liberty, and is: willing to start lite again. In these cases .of primitive divorce the husband keeps' one or all of the children if, he wants them; if not, the woman takes them with • her. On my last expedias on--those : of, former, years, I found that''a number of matrimonial changes had taken place among my northern friends; since 1 was previously among them. ' ■ , This is not very unlike free and easy readjustments that lake place in Maori communities, when a man and wife find they do not like each other very much and. decide to. make other matrimonial arrangements.''-But- it is• curious to remember that among the Scotch the system of trial marriages obtained among the feudal lords till quite a late period. In his notes to Lord of the Isles, or Ma'rmion, Scott,quotes a case vhero great offence was given to one noble family when a daughter of the house was returned to them after a'year's'-trial marriage. - ':•■■ -.CLiiln.nj If you cough,.Shaw's,Lung Tonic will stop it. A certain and 1 effectual remedy for Coughs, Bronchitis, and all pulmonary troubles, in bottles, one shilling ■ each, from the sole proprietor, Frank Shaw' Consulting ..anil ..Practical -Chemist-Qpti-' cian, Medical Hall, Manners Streot, .and the Cecil Buildings, Lambto'ii Quay.— Advt.

Poultry-keeping by titled women is one of tho crazes of the moment.. Queen Alexandra showed the way, and her Silkies have won .prizes at the poultry shows. Lady Derby owns some of the costliest birds in existence, and a pair of her black Orpingtons were sold for £100 at the Crystal Palace. Lady Craven is another '.prominent' exhibitor, aiid;..her American; "Wyandottes are of much beauty .arid-' value. Lady Chesterfield is yet another fancier, and so are Lady Aylesford, Lady Kathleen. Pilkington, Lady Burton, and Lady Tichborne. Lord Rosebery wins prizes with his Minorcas, and the story goes" that his old poultryman once, in a melting' mood, admitted, "Those birds will make your Lordship's name famous one of these days."

All animals are terrified by airships. Partridges, quail, and . other game birds crouch and hide, while domestic fowls ' utter loud warning . notes the instant they perceive the monstrous bird of prey. The Swedish aeronaut, Von Hoffken, while sailing at a moderate elevation, observed that, elks, foxes, hares, and other wild animals fled at his approach, and that dogs ran howling into tho houses. While the Zeppelin 111. was going from Dusseldorf to Essen the aeronauts on board noted that horses and cattle galloped frantically over the fields on catching sight of the airship.