Meer Hassan Ali, B.: Observations on the Mussulmauns of India: descriptive of their manners, customs, habits, and religious opinions ; made during a twelve years residence in their immediate Society (Band 1) (London, 1832)

PLURALITY OF WIVES. .341

but the children of every subsequent wife are
equals in the father's estimation. Should the
husband be dissolute and have offspring by con-
cubines—which is not very common,—those
children are remembered and provided for in
the distribution of his property; and, as very
often occurs, they are cherished by the wives
with nearly as much care as their own chil-
dren ; but illegitimate offspring very seldom
marry in the same rank their father held in
society.

The latitude allowed by "the law" preserves
the many-wived Mussulmaun from the world's
censure ; and his conscience rests unaccused
when he adds to his numbers, if he cannot re-
proach himself with having neglected or un-
kindly treated any of the number bound to him,
or their children. But the privilege is not always
indulged in by the Mussulmauns; much depends
on circumstances, and more on the man's dis-
position. If it be the happy lot of a kind-
hearted good man to be married to a woman of
assimilating mind, possessing the needful requi-
sites to render home agreeable, and a prospect