. Manners and customs of the English nation, from the invation of Julius Cæsar to the present time . and happy were their wordsin secret. * The period of courtship amongst the Britonsappears to have been very brief, generally only afew days. The absolute authority of the fatherdeprived the daughter of power to refuse. Tearsor flight were often her only means of husband was allowed to chastise his wife, orrequire a legal satisfaction for the three followingcrimes—infidelity to his bed—embezzling hisgoods—or abusing his beard ! By the ancient Britons law of succession, amans property
. Manners and customs of the English nation, from the invation of Julius Cæsar to the present time . and happy were their wordsin secret. * The period of courtship amongst the Britonsappears to have been very brief, generally only afew days. The absolute authority of the fatherdeprived the daughter of power to refuse. Tearsor flight were often her only means of husband was allowed to chastise his wife, orrequire a legal satisfaction for the three followingcrimes—infidelity to his bed—embezzling hisgoods—or abusing his beard ! By the ancient Britons law of succession, amans property at his death was equally dividedamongst his sons. If any one was favoured, it wasnot the eldest but the youngest son; for one oftheir laws commanded that, when the brothers haddivided their fathers estate, the youngest shouldhave the best house, with all the office-houses,the implements of husbandry, his fathers kettle,his axe for cutting wood, and his knife. Thesethree last things the father cannot give away bygift, nor leave by his last will to any but his * Quoted by Adams—Chap. Hunting. THE ENGLISH NATION. 27 youngest son: and If they are pledged they shallbe redeemed. * The horse was originally an inhabitant ofBriton, and so much did the Romans think of theBritish horses that some were exported to were introduced into England by theRomans. Of asses? the Romans and Spaniardsthought much. The Roman women thought theirmilk, used as a wash, contributed towards white-ning their skins. Neros consort kept a train offive hundred milch asses in constant attendanceupon her, so that her bath might often be replen-ished with their milk. It is probable that theRomans introduced into England rabbits, phea-sants, cuckoos, pigeons, turtles, and rabbit was originally a native of the Romans the peacock was of consi-derable repute. Those whom we now call Scotchmen were inthis period called Picts, from the Latin word picti—this name was
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