FEMALE IMMORALITY. 57 



least regard to other objects ; and as the educa- 

 tion of the women teaches them to look ii2:)on 

 sensual indulgence as the chief aim and end of 

 their existence, it can be no matter of astonish- 

 ment if in after-life they often prove unfaithful 

 and vicious. To restrain their evil propensi- 

 ties uncontrolled authority was permitted over 

 the lives and liberty of the women, and there 

 was no punishment for him who killed a near 

 female relative, if he could bring j)roof of her 

 want of chastity ; and the word of the murderer 

 was generally considered sufficient proof of the 

 guilt of his victim [vide Parliamentary Eecords, 

 vol. 49 of 1854]. Many women have been put 

 to death on no other evidence than having 

 been seen talking with a man when coming 

 from the well with water. In fact, if the brutal 

 husband was satisfied of her guilt, no man had 

 a right to question him if he murdered her. 

 She was his property, and he was the principal 

 loser by her death. The lives of both offenders 

 were taken if possible ; but the man was ge- 

 nerally able to escape, though the woman was 

 seldom so fortunate. Captain Young, Judge 

 Advocate General, states that it has frequently 

 happened that the wretched creature has been 



