Ch. xi. Of the Checks to Population, 8$c. 191 



" redeems seven and seven, in higher and lower 

 " degrees ; of a wife by the Arsha, three and 

 " three ; of a wife by the Prdjdpatya, six and 

 " six."* 



A housekeeper is considered as of the most 

 eminent order. " The divine sages, the manes, 

 " the gods, the spirits and guests pray for bene- 

 " fits to masters of families.! An elder brother 

 not married before the younger, is mentioned 

 among the persons who are particularly to be 

 shunned.^ 



Such ordinances would naturally cause mar- 

 riage to be considered a religious duty; yet it 

 seems to be rather a succession of male heirs, 

 than a very numerous progeny, that is the object 

 so much desired. 



" The father having begotten a son, discharges 

 " his debt to his own progenitors." 



" That son alone, by whose birth he discharges 

 " the debt, and through whom he attains immor- 

 " tality, was begotten from a sense of duty ; all 

 " the rest are considered by the wise as begotten 

 " from love of pleasure. "§ 



A widow is on some occasions allowed to have 

 one son by the brother, or some appointed kins- 

 man of the deceased husband, but on no account 

 a second. " The first object of the appoint- 

 " ment being obtained according to law, both 



* Sir Win, Jones's Works, vol. iii. c. iii. p. 124. 



t Id. p. 130. 



\ Id. p. 141. 



§ Id. vol. iii. c. ix. p. 340. 



