you in the county court,
except to make the judge laugh. He will, however, allow you to prove the
consideration, and as, of course, you won't be prepared to do anything
of the sort, he will, if you ask him politely, adjourn the hearing for a
week, when you can produce the coalheavers who delivered the article,
and thus gain a glorious victory.

2724. APPRENTICES.--By the statute 5 Eliz. cap. 4, it is enacted that,
in cases of ill-usage by masters towards apprentices, or of neglect of
duty by apprentices, the complaining party may apply to a justice of the
peace, who may make such order as equity may require. If, for want of
conformity on the part of the master, this cannot be done, then the
master may be bound to appear at the next sessions. Authority is given
by the act to the justices in sessions to discharge the apprentice from
his indentures. They are also empowered, on proof of misbehaviour of the
apprentice, to order him to be corrected or imprisoned with hard labour.

2725. HUSBAND AND WIFE.--Contrary to the vulgar opinion, second cousins,
as well as first, may legally marry. When married, a husband is liable
for his wife's debts contracted before marriage. A creditor desirous of
suing for such a claim should proceed against both. It will, however, be
sufficient if the husband be served with process, the names of both
appearing therein, thus:--John Jones and Ann his wife. A married woman,
if sued alone, may plead her marriage, or, as it is called in law,
coverture. The husband is liable for debts of his wife contracted for
necessaries while living with him. If she voluntarily leaves his
protection, this liability ceases. He is also liable for any debts
contracted by her with his authority. If the husband have abjured the
realm, or been transported by a sentence of law, the wife is liable
during his absence, as if she were a single woman, for debts contracted
by her.

2726. In civil cases, a wife may now give evidence on behalf of her
husband in criminal cases she can neither be a witness for or against
her husband. The case of assault by him upon her forms an exception to
this rule.

2727. The law does not at this day admit the ancient principle of
allowing moderate correction by a husband upon the person of his wife.
Although this is said to have been anciently limited to the use of "a
stick not bigger than the thumb," this barbarity is now altogether
exploded. He may, notwithstanding, as has been recently s