10. The Principle on which the Morals of the East are founded. The Spirit of the Laws | ||
Footnotes
"Collection of Voyages that Contributed to the Establishment of the East India Company," vol. ii, part II, p. 196.
In the Maldivian isles the fathers marry their daughters at ten and eleven years of age, because it is a great sin, say they, to suffer them to endure the want of a husband. See Pirard, cap. 12. At Bantam, as soon as a girl is twelve or thirteen years old, she must be married, if they would not have her lead a debauched life. "Collection of Voyages that Contributed to the Establishment of the East India Company," p. 348.
"Voyage to Guinea," part II, p. 192. "When the women happen to meet with a man, they lay hold of him, and threaten to make a complaint to their husbands if he slight their addresses. They steal into a man's bed, and wake him; and if he refuses to comply with their desires, they threaten to suffer themselves to be caught in flagranti.
10. The Principle on which the Morals of the East are founded. The Spirit of the Laws | ||