ws of Manu,
which are the laws governing all such matters, make no mention of any
marriage ceremony; it is, in fact, a status. Just as two men may go into
partnership in business without executing any deed, so a man and a woman
may enter into the marriage state without undergoing any form. Amongst
the richer Burmese there is, however, sometimes a ceremony.

Friends are called to the wedding, and a ribbon is stretched round the
couple, and then their hands are clasped; they also eat out of the same
dish. All this is very pretty, but not at all necessary.

It is, indeed, not a settled point in law what constitutes a marriage,
but there are certain things that will render it void. For instance, no
marriage can be a marriage without the consent of the girl's parents if
she be under age, and there are certain other conditions which must be
fulfilled.

But although there be this doubt about the actual ceremony of marriage,
there is none at all about the status. There is no confusion between a
woman who is married and a woman who is not. The condition of marriage
is well known, and it brings the parties under the laws that pertain to
husband and wife. A woman not married does not, of course, obtain these
privileges; there is a very strict line between the two.

Amongst the poorer people a marriage is frequently kept secret for
several days. The great pomp and ceremony which with us, and
occasionally with a few rich Burmese, consecrate a man and a woman to
each other for life, are absent at the greater number of Burmese
marriages; and the reason they tell me is that the girl is shy. She does
not like to be stared at, and wondered at, as a maiden about to be a
wife; it troubles her that the affairs of her heart, her love, her
marriage, should be so public. The young men come at night and throw
stones upon the house roof, and demand presents from the bridegroom. He
does not mind giving the presents; but he, too, does not like the
publicity. And so marriage, which is with most people a ceremony
performed in full daylight with all accessories of display, is with the
Burmese generally a secret. Two or three friends, perhaps, will be
called quietly to the house, and the man and woman will eat together,
and thus become husband and wife. Then they will separate again, and not
for several days, or even weeks perhaps, will it be known that they are
married; for it is seldom that they can set up house for themselves just
at once. Ofte