CHAPTER II

MODES OF OBTAINING WIVES

Prof. Westermarck's definition of marriage and family accepted at the outset as starting-point (pp. 34, 35).--Inquiry first directed towards the legal aspect of marriage and ideas on marriage, as expressed and embodied in the aboriginal modes of obtaining wives (pp. 35, 36).--Statements concerning these facts (pp. 36-47).--Rough survey (pp. 47, 48).--(1) _Normal forms of marriage_ (pp. 48 _sqq._).--Chief features and forms of the normal methods: betrothal in infancy (p. 48);--exchange of sisters or relatives (pp. 48, 49);--obligations of contracting parties (pp. 49, 50);--some traces of marriage by purchase (pp. 50-52);--public, tribal character of marriage arrangements (p. 52);--betrothal and marriage ceremonies (pp. 52-53).--(2) _The violent forms of marriage_ (pp. 53-55).--Capture (pp. 54, 55).--Elopement (pp. 55, 56).--_Theoretical inferences drawn from these facts_ (pp. 56 _sqq._).--The legal aspect of marriage (pp. 56-58).--The elements enforcing _ipso facto_ the validity of marriage (pp. 58, 59).--Collective ideas expressed by the facts analyzed (pp. 60-62).--Marital bonds not lax, but on the whole strong and permanent (pp. 62-66).--Summary (p. 66).