342 
DIVORCES. 
shaded, where so many fairer flowers laved their youthful charms ; 
to pass away, even like their bright reflections in the stream, 
leaving no trace behind. 
From all this, it may easily be understood, why divorces are 
uncommon amongst the higher orders, in this country; the 
husband having it always in his power to gratify the fickleness 
of his fancy, in the constant succession, which his wealth com¬ 
mands, of beautiful slaves. The lower ranks, seldom being able 
to support more than the privileged number of wives, are often 
ready to change them on any plea, when time, or any other 
circumstance, has a little sullied their freshness. According to 
the law of the Koran, a man may repudiate his wife twice, and 
resume his relinquished rights over her, with little difficulty; 
but if he part with her a third time, and then wants to take her 
back, he cannot satisfy this caprice, till she has in the meanwhile 
been married, cohabited with her new husband, and been legally 
divorced from him. But even then, she cannot rejoin her for¬ 
mer spouse, until a term of three months have elapsed; which 
probation, is to give time to ascertain whether she might not be 
in a way to bring something besides herself to her ancient lord; 
and, in that case, she remains divided from him, till she has 
brought forth her offspring ; which is immediately taken away, 
and provided for at the expense of the father. A woman, on 
the death of her husband, cannot re-marry, before the expiration 
of four months and ten days. When matrimonial differences 
arise, of sufficient magnitude to occasion a wish to separate, the 
grievances are stated by both parties before the judge or kasi; and 
if duly substantiated, and the complainants persist in demand¬ 
ing a divorce, he furnishes both with the necessary certificates ; 
the woman holding whatever dowry she may have brought with 
