Page:The Hardships of the English Laws in Relation to Wives. Bodleian copy.pdf/41

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

[ 35 ]

ſtration, by Virtue of which he ſeized her Huſband's perſonal Eſtate to answer the Money for which he was bound for his Father. But the personal Eſtate not amounting to that Money, the Adminiſtrator ſhewed no Mercy to the unhappy Widow, but took even her Wedding Ring, from her Finger, and all moveables, except the Cloaths on her own, and her Childrens Backs at the Time of the Seizure. The Widow was then left with four Children, a naked House, and an hundred and ſeventy Pounds per Annum Jointure. She became a Widow within a few Days after an half yearly Payment from the Tenant, who rented this Eſtate; conſequently ſhe could make no Demand upon him for near half a Year after. Within which Time, ſhe was to ſupport the Expences of her Lying-in as well as to provide for the four Children ſhe had already.

As theſe, or the like Circumſtances may happen to any Woman who has only a Jointure to depend upon, I would therefore recommend it to the unmarried of my Sex, to ſecure by Article ſuch a Sum of Money as will ſupport them during ſuch an Exigency, till their Jointures ſhall come in. I confeſs 'tis very rare that we ſee a Woman ſtript ſo bare, as this Lady, whoſe Cafe I laſt re-

lated,