426 INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTIONS. 



cial aggregates are formed for purposes of defence or aggres 

 sion. And since the men who in their families severally ex 

 ercise absolute power, even to the killing of wives and chil 

 dren at will, are also the men who rule the aggregate and 

 make the laws; there is nothing tending to change this do 

 mestic regime, and it continues through the early stages of 

 civilization. Of leading illustrations I may name first that 

 furnished by China. Remarking that &quot; in their most ancient 

 books the family is declared to be the foundation of society/ 

 Douglas writes 



* In private life, as long as his parents live, he [a son] holds himself 

 at their disposal, and is guided by them in the choice of his occupation 

 and in every concern of life.&quot; . . . &quot; Over the property of sons the 

 father s authority is as complete as over their liberty&quot; . . . &quot;Full- 

 grown men submit meekly to be flogged without raising their hands.&quot; 



Arid here may be added a passage from the same writer 

 showing that, as above said, the absolute power of the father 

 long survives, because the heads of families themselves con 

 stitute the public authority. 



&quot; The affairs of each CTiing [village community] were in the old days 

 presided over by the heads of the eight families, and in the larger 

 communities an extended assembly of elders adjudicated on all matters 

 relating to the administration of their neighbourhoods. To a great 

 extent this system exists at the present day. Now, as in the days of 

 yore, the head of each household holds autocratic sway over all the 

 members of his family. The very lives of his sons and daughters are 

 in his hands, and if his conduct, however cruel toward his wife, con 

 cubines, and dependants, is not of a kind to outrage the feelings of his 

 brother elders and as a rule it takes a great deal to do this it is 

 allowed to pass without attracting the attention of any public judicial 

 authority. &quot; 



And this absolute subjection is supported by law to the 

 extent that disobedient sons are imprisoned by their fathers. 

 So, too, unlimited paternal power is insisted upon by the 

 sacred books of the Hindus. In the Code of Manu it is 

 written : 



&quot;Three persons a wife, a son, and a slave are declared by law to 

 have in general no wealth exclusively their own ; the wealth which 



