23.8. 8. The same Subject continued.
In England the law is frequently
abused by the daughters marrying according to their own fancy without
consulting their parents. This custom is, I am apt to imagine, more
tolerated there than anywhere else from a consideration that as the laws
have not established a monastic celibacy, the daughters have no other
state to choose but that of marriage, and this they cannot refuse. In
France, on the contrary, young women have always the resource of
celibacy; and therefore the law which ordains that they shall wait for
the consent of their fathers may be more agreeable. In this light the
custom of Italy and Spain must be less rational; convents are there
established, and yet they may marry without the consent of their
fathers.
