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| Author | Theophilus Moore |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Publisher | John Bumpus, Holborn, London |
Publication date | 1814 |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Media type | Print (Hardback, 1 volume) |
| Pages | 364 (first edition) |
Marriage Customs, Modes of Courtship, and Singular Propensities of the Various Nations of the Universe, with Remarks on the Condition of Women, Penn's Maxims, and Counsel to the Single and Married, &c, &c [1] is a book by Theophilus Moore, first published in 1814 by John Bumpus in Holborn, London. It consists of a collection of comments on marriage and courting traditions, sorted by continent and country. The volume furthermore includes a preface and further remarks on love, marriage, conduct related to these, and similar topics.
Structure[edit]
- illustration of illustration of ‘the affectionate adieu of Hector and Andromache’, title page
- preface
- table of contents
- marriage customs: countries sorted by continents; some countries subdivided into further ethnicities
- love and marriage, an allegory
- remarks on love, celibacy, & co.
- remarks on the laws respecting marriage
- the character of a good husband
- the character of a good wife
- sentiments of Mr. Penn on marriage
- maxims in the choice of a wife, conduct towards her, & co.
Frontispiece[edit]
The Frontispiece of the 1st edition from 1814 is a drawing of ‘the affectionate Adieu of Hector and Andromache’, who were, in Greek mythology, a married couple. Their Last Parting before Hector gets killed by Achilles during the Trojan War is, among others, described in the Sixth Book of Homer’s Iliad.
The title page is accompanied by a quote from James Thomson’s poem cycle ‘The seasons’. The three lines are mixed together from stanzas 44 and 45 of Spring, the first line being the first line of stanza 44 and the second and third lines being lines 3 and 4 in Thomson’s original 45th stanza.
But happy they, the happiest of their kind,
Who in each other clasp whatever fair
High fancy forms, or lavish hearts can wish.— [2]
Preface[edit]
The book appears to have been compiled by the editor for the sake of making women in England aware of their advanced rights under the British laws, which ‘give equal protection to all’ (Preface, p. iv). This is done by presenting the customs of foreign countries in a predominantly critical, if not dismissive way, and at the same time stressing how, in the 'civilised' countries, ‘women are admitted to their natural rights, […] the character of the man is softened, and states are recognised by a love of the arts and sciences’.
Subsequently, emotio and ratio are contrasted by the editor, who stresses the tempting, but delusional nature of all things pleasurable and specifically states that his aim is to ‘temper and model [the virtues] to prudence and virtue’ (p. iv). This primarily addresses youth, whose bad habits are ‘strengthened by habit and thoughtless society’, and it is the goal to ‘recover any one in such a state [of delusion] to relish that which is rational, serious, and of the greatest concern’ (p. v).
Toward the end of the short preface, the editor returns to the issue of women’s rights, and writes: ‘Among the various societies formed for relieving the wants of the human race, no one has yet arisen for ameliorating the condition of women, in countries where their situation is intolerable. […] It is, perhaps, the last effort that will be made to humanise the rude and unfeeling dominion which strength gives man over woman.’ (p. v-vi). Considering this forecast in the light of it having been made more than 200 years ago, it is especially interesting how sincerely concerned the editor appears to be, but also how his concern apparently is conditional on women’s situation being ‘intolerable’, thereby excluding all those countries from his criticism where women do, from his point of view, have appropriate conditions. In the later chapters with comments and anecdotes on courtship customs across nations, it becomes clear that the author himself views primarily England as a rather civilised and progressive nation while lamenting the state of affairs in more unfamiliar cultures.
Content and Comments on Style[edit]
The first chapters of the book are devoted to Europe and start by commenting customs in France, England, Wales and Scotland. It is striking how negatively the French are portrayed in respect to their courting behaviour, both men and women. The editor lists a collection of newspaper advertisements of men and women in search for lovers, companions, or husbands and wives, and comments these seemingly professionally, but carrying a patronising, sometimes disparaging, undertone. One example of such a comment is ‘Does this unity signify to marry? I do not know. At any rate one cannot help observing what stress the French lay upon being of good family’ (p. 23). One further comment, a story how a French lady invites a British gentleman to her home and receives him while lying naked in her bathtub, is introduced by the words: ‘To give some idea of the indecent freedoms of the females in France, we shall give the following anecdote: […]’ (p. 25). The lower class women in Marseilles are described as being ‘of a truly Amazonian race. They have little beauty, but much corporeal strength’ (p. 27).
Subsequently, marriage customs in England are commented on. However, Moore in this case restricts himself to elaborating on the laws governing matrimony, divorce, and the assignment of the dowry. His tone is strictly formal and scholarly, notably less judgmental.
In a similar manner, a range of countries are elaborated on. When describing how men use to court women in Lapland, the editor also includes the texts of two songs, first a ‘Laplander’s Song to his Rein-Deer’, to be sung by the man while riding to his mistress’s father’s house, and then ‘A Lapland Love Song’, to be sung to the mistress herself (pp. 120-123).
Themes that are focused on throughout the book are pre-marriage courtship procedures, wedding traditions, the rules and societal consequences regarding separation, the details of interactions in polygamous societies, power relationships between man, woman, and child, the general virtues and values esteemed by the group, and the specific role of women.
A striking stylistic feature throughout all chapters is the overgeneralisation and stylisation across countries, cultures, peoples and religions (as there are also chapters on Jews and Quakers). The traditions regarding marriage ceremonies or courting habits tend to be described in stereotyped language, strongly exaggerated, and extrapolated across all members of the group.
References[edit]
- ^ Theophilus Moore, Marriage Customs, Modes of Courtship, and Singular Propensities of the Various Nations of the Universe, with Remarks on the Condition of Women, Penn's Maxims, and Counsel to the Single and Married, &c, &c, John Bumpus, London, 1814
- ^ Poetical Quotations: Being a complete dictionary of the most elegant moral, sublime, and humorous passages in the British poets. By John F. Addington. In four volumes. Vol. III. Philadelphia: John Grigg, No. 9, North Fourth Street. Printed by James Kay, Jun. & Co. 1829
- Walker, R. “The Day Which Will Fix My Future Destiny”: Courtship, Marriage, and the Companionate Ideal in Early Republican America. [1]