Page:Scots piper's queries, or, John Falkirk's carriches (7).pdf/5

This page has been validated.

5

A Nothing but ale and ill wicked wives.

Q. How was it abolished?

A. Because those that went to it once would go to it no more,

Q. For what reason?

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

Q. What was the reason that in those days a man could put away his wife for pissing the bed and not for sh———g it?'

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

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

A. Because private marriages are become as common as smuggling, and cuckolding the kirk no more thought of than to ride a mile or two on 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