CHAPTER X

THE LIBERTY OF CHOICE

Females ‘engaged’ in infancy, pp. 213, _et seq._—The right of giving a girl in marriage, pp. 214, _et seq._—Considerable liberty of selection allowed to women among the lower races, pp. 215-221.—It was even greater in primitive times, pp. 221, _et seq._—Bride-stealing and elopement, p. 223.—The position of sons among uncivilized peoples, pp. 223-225.—Paternal authority based on ancestor worship, in the ancient and Eastern World, pp. 225-235.—The _patria potestas_ of the Aryan races, pp. 229-235.—The decline of the _patria potestas_, pp. 235-239.