SHIP-LOADS OF WIVES.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 144, 3 June 1911, Page 2 (Supplement)

SHIP-LOADS OF WIVES.

To emigrate young women wholesale from an old country where there are too many of them unwed to a new country where men are clamouring ior wives, as is now being done in regard to England, and Canada, is no new thing. AVhen Virginia was first colonised a whole shipload of buxom damsels were sent out to the lonely settlers by a certain Sir Edwyn Sandys, acting on behalf of a trading rompany. Thev were all maids of good repute, though poor and lowly born, and they were all married on the day of their arrival to the men of their choice. For the damsels were allowed to choose, though not to remain unwed. There were nearly 100 of them, but the aspirants for their hands numbered more than 400, so that there was room for choice.

Mostly they selected the wooer who appeared handsomest in it heir eyes. But there is a story told concerning one exceptionally good-looking giri. who, finding herself besieged bv :i dozen importunate gallants, threw into their midst a knot of blue ribbon, laughed with glee at the pcratnhle that, ensued, and finally- marched off with the wearer of the favour. These wives were in a sa, 1K „ f,-,,. ea-h settler who was luckv t „ secure one had to hand owr 120 lbs of tobac o to the syndicate that had shinped them.

Nevertheless, no shame was thought the transa-tinn - and to-rlav ti-a families in Virginia arc ni"nd if t.bc-' can tra'o their dcwc-nt h-- i- to one of “Sir Edwyn Sandys’ maids."

Those who pos«oss t 7 '" wrong ki-'t of religion usually critv->’««" and denounce everv other kind that differs in the least from their own. —