4 2 4 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



during the marriage-feast, an indispensable part is assigned to wrest- 

 ling, which is an exercise much esteemed among the Calmucks. 



The marriage ceremonies among notable Calmucks are conducted 

 rather differently; yet the difference only consists in this : Ordinarily, 

 it is not the youth in person, but one of his nearest relations, who is 

 charged with conducting his betrothed. The young man meets her 

 on the way, and it is at this place that the principal ceremony of the 

 marriage is accomplished. Arrived at the tent of her husband, the 

 girl does not descend from the horse until she is taken off in his arms. 

 Afterward her horse is set free, and passes into the possession of him 

 who first catches it. 



In that which concerns the position of the woman in the Calmuck 

 family, it is much superior in comparison with that which occurs among 

 other people who are on the same level of civilization as the Calmucks. 

 The law, consecrated by usage, in making the Calmuck woman full 

 mistress of the household, determines strictly what ought to be the 

 conduct of the man. The man has not only no right to raise his hand 

 against a woman, but he is obliged, on the contrary, to treat her with 

 respect. Thus, for example, in inviting a woman to dance, he ought 

 to kneel, and carry his hand to his forehead, and afterward to the knee 

 of his wife. She, on the other hand, in inviting one to dance, has only 

 to incline herself gently, and to touch his shoulder. A man is not per- 

 mitted to refuse a dish or a drink which is offered to him by a woman. 

 Also, upon a journey, if he perceives that a woman intends to descend 

 from her horse, he is expected to get off immediately to assist her to 

 descend. 



Such are the laws and usages of the Calmucks with respect to their 

 women ; but, at the same time, these laws are not observed very 

 strictly. The Calmuck treats his wife with consideration only in the 

 presence of other persons. When alone, it often happens that he beats 

 her ; not only for some omission or negligence on her part, but, for ex- 

 ample, for having carelessly trodden upon the foot, the gun, or the stick 

 of her husband. 



Divorce is equally forbidden by law, but usage gives the husband 

 the right to send his wife back as soon as she displeases him, and that 

 without assuring her the means of subsistence. In case a Calmuck 

 abandons his wife in an honorable manner, he gives an especial enter- 

 tainment, to which all her relations are invited. When the repast- is 

 ended, he orders a horse out, ready saddled, to carry back his wife to 

 the khoton of her parents. 



Besides the cares of the household, the Calmuck woman is charged 

 with the education of her children. The birth of a child among the 

 Calmucks does not give occasion to any particular ceremonies. Scarce- 

 ly has the new-born child come into the world, when it is carried out 

 of the tent, and the first object which then presents itself to the eyes 

 dog, sheep, serpent, or other yields its name to the infant. Some- 



