RISE OF FATHERRIGHT 29 



subsequent payment of compensation. The children 

 then follow the father. It seems more usual to con- 

 clude a formal agreement between the families. The 

 young couple in this event live for awhile with the 

 bridegroom's parents, until they set up a house of 

 their own ; but the children follow the mother. With 

 permission of the first wife a man may marry as many 

 as five wives ; and the later wives dwell with their 

 parents or in separate dwellings, except in case of 

 poverty, when all the wives live under one roof of 

 which the first is mistress. 1 Conversely on the island of 

 Wetar the pair live at the wife's home until they get a 

 separate dwelling ; but a bride-price is paid and divided 

 between the bride's parents and the other members of 

 her family. This assures the children to the father. 

 He is, however, in nowise bound to care for them, but 

 leaves this duty entirely to their mother. 2 



On the island of Serang intercourse between 

 unmarried youths and girls is unrestrained. When a 

 pair after some experience of one another in this way 

 determine to live together, the fact is announced to 

 the girl's parents. If they do not object the youth 

 enters their house without any formality, and is con- 

 sidered as a member of the family. Nothing is said 

 by the girl's parents about bride-price ; but this is 

 usually paid as soon as she becomes pregnant, or after 

 a satisfactory trial of married life. An exchange of 

 presents between the families takes place on the public 

 recognition of the marriage. When payment of the 

 bride-price is completed the wife enters her husband's 

 family ; but this does not discharge him from the duty 

 of making constant gifts to her parents in order to 

 1 Riedel, 415. 2 Id. 447. 





