258 INDIFFERENCE TO THE MARRIAGE RITE. 



as far as their idea of life comprehends "living"; 

 but how they can manage to die happily without it, 

 I cannot conceive. 



Another fact I must notice ; that is, the great 

 number of males and females living together in 

 couples as man and wife, but whose union has not 

 been sanctioned by a performance of the sacred mar- 

 riage rite. The men who come out here usually 

 bring their wives along, if they are voluntary emi- 

 grants ; and if convicts their helpmates occasion- 

 ally follow them — preferring to share the exile 

 of their husbands rather than spend a lone life 

 in their native home. In the latter case they are 

 allowed to consort together, provided the prisoner 

 by a course of good conduct has merited and received 

 a " ticket of relief." Not unusually when any of these 

 females are removed by death, they are replaced by mis- 

 tresses, who assume all the privileges of the departed, 

 as well as the maternal government of the children, 

 if there should be any ; in which latter relation they 

 in most cases act prudently ; for children are here an 

 element of wealth as soon as they arrive at an age 

 at which they are qualified to help themselves — 

 there being plenty for them to do, if only these 

 nominal mothers and their husbands are diposed to 

 teach them to labor. 



This state of affairs does not appear to be looked 

 upon by the inhabitants as criminal, neither is it made 

 a matter of scandal — both parties being allowed to 

 enter society without reserve. These are harsh asser- 

 tions, I am aware ; but, ere they were written, their 

 asperity was well digested, both by myself and scores 

 of others, who, not from hearsay, but from observation 



