This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

6

Q. For what reason ?

A. Because there was no money to be got for them, but fair bartar, wife for wife ; and he who put away a wife for one fault, got another for her, with two as bad.

Q. What was the reason, that in those days a man could put away his wife for pissing the bed, but not for shiting it?

A. Because he could shute it away with his foot and ly down.

Q. What is the reason now a days, that men court, cast, marry, and remarry so many wives, and keep only but one in public at last ?

A. Because private marriage is become as common as smuggling; and cuckolding the kirk no more thought of than for a man to ride a mile or two upon his neighbour’s mare ; Men get will and wale of wives ; the best portion and properest person is preferred, the first left, the weak to the worst ; and she whom he does not love, he puts away, and lies down with whom he pleases.