SEXUAL HYGIENE 183 



nore it whenever it is broached. We purpose to speak 

 ont, notwithstanding the feeling referred to, since we 

 believe this to be a crying evil; and we have no fears 

 bnt that we shall have the hearty indorsement of every 

 individual who can so far lay aside his prejudices as 

 to allow his native common sense a fair chance to in- 

 fluence his judgment. 



In the country of Iceland, a land which is scarcely 

 more than semi-civilized, if a young man wishes to 

 marry, the first thing to be considered is his pecuniary 

 situation. Before he can take to himself a wife, he 

 must appear before the proper authority, and present 

 evidence that he is able to support a wife and family in 

 addition to providing for himself. Even the barbarous 

 natives of Patagonia show an equal degree of good 

 sense, the chief of each tribe requiring that every young 

 man who wishes to marry shall first prove himself com- 

 petent to provide for a family, having attained the 

 requisite degree of proficiency in hunting and fishing, 

 and having possessed himself of at least two horses 

 and the necessary equipments. 



In this country,— a civilized, so-called Christian 

 country, blessed with all the enlightenment of the nine- 

 teenth century,— what do we see? Instead of any regu- 

 lation of tlie sort, there is the utmost indifference to 

 such clearly important considerations. If young people 

 profess to love each other, and wish to marry, no one 

 of their friends thinks of asking, ^'How are they going 

 to live after they are married! Has the young man a 

 trade? Has the young lady been so educated as to be 

 self-sustaining if necessary! Has the young man a 

 home or the wherewithal to obtain one ? Has he a good 

 situation, with prospects of being able to support his 

 wife comfortably and provide for a family?" These 



