value than £500, she takes the whole, and that in cases where the estate is of greater value, she has, over and above the half-share to which she is entitled, a charge on the estate of £500. This Act applies only when there are no children.
The widow's ancient right of dower entitles her to the enjoyment for her life of one-third of her husband's freehold lands; but this right has been virtually abolished by means of devices invented by the lawyers and by the Dower Act of 1830. Hence it is very seldom that widows enjoy their right of dower, though the corresponding right of a widower is still in full force.
There is a harsh provision in the Married Women's Property Act of 1882, to the effect that if a loan is made by a wife to her husband for the purposes of his trade or business, she can, in case of his bankruptcy, recover nothing until the claims of all his other creditors have been satisfied. If he dies insolvent the same rule applies. A husband lending money to his wife for the purposes of her trade or business, is not at this disadvantage, but has the same rights as any other creditor.
The divorce laws are notoriously unfair to women. A husband can secure a divorce on the sole ground of his wife's adultery, but adultery on a husband's part gives his wife no right to obtain a divorce. The fact that he is constantly and persistently immoral makes no difference. To obtain a divorce from him she must prove, in addition to adultery, bigamy, cruelty, or desertion for two years and upwards. The decision as to whether the acts
