DIVORCE IN AMERICA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1039, 17 March 1882, Page 4

DIVORCE IN AMERICA.

Divorce is an interesting subject to tlio weaker sex, aid I have not a shadow of doubt hut wlmt scores of ill-matoil women over yonder would ho supremely happy could they slip o(T their shackles as easily as the women do on our side. It is amusing to see the pen le amicably divorcing each other ■and taking now partners, lint this in no way militates against the friendly feelings 'optlie separated parties, for the once tightly'hound will meet on the street and chat in the most friendly manner. The divorced man will also call upon the one time wife of his bosom, and send her little gifts, amhnot unfrcqnently divorce wife No. t! and marry No. 1 over again. Oh, you don’t know what a time they have had of it. A'women may meet-two or three other divorced partners m a hall-room, and chat merrily to them all. They tell mo that it is even worse in 'Chicago, where a woman has keen ‘known to meet six cast-off husband at a public hall. Now, this mode of doing business, to English people, it is not a little revolting, but they think no more of it here than do of saying “good-hyc” to a friend. The late returns shew that the wife in most cases is the one to obtain the divorce, the case which takes the lead being desertion. Indeed, it is actually fashionable for a man to leave his wife and on entering another State marry again. Extreme cruelty is the next prolific cause of separation, and there are many other cogent reasons, such as leaving the wife and children to starve to death, while the man runs around and has a “good time.” Adultery is the last cause in the programme for whiehdivorce seemscourWl Since both have equal grounds for separation, only 20 husbands and 14 wives have, among the 304 divorces of last year, sought divorce on the ground of adultery. This question of divorce is being fearfully discussed by sociologist”, it being a matter of extremes! gravity, this taking of a plurality of husbands, so reducing a women almost to the level of the daughters of sin. —“ Silverpon ”in the New Zealand Herald.