He also holds the coverlet, is folded up and carried by ... and av ... all this is a concubine; brought about by go-between's, the parents' bidding and the speeches, how can the marriage of all under 16 by English computation be denoted as proper rites?
Marriage ... Marriage without ... Moreover, whilst poor people are not willing to become the wives of the poor, they get to become the concubines of the wealthy. This is undoubtedly because when a girl is given in marriage as a concubine, her parents can get liberal betrothal presents. That their daughter, as soon as she ceases to be under their care, should at once have a support is also an object of deepest solicitude with parents. According to the new law, however, to satisfy this feeling of affection for a daughter is, on the contrary, to commit a crime.
A Cheriamian is not prohibited by his laws from having three wives and four concubines; and though there is a slight difference in the names "wife" and "concubine", there is no difference in the respect and esteem in which wives and concubines are held. Petitioners pray Your Lordship to condescend to make enquiries from the present Chinese Ambassador and his staff in London, which will enable you to clearly understand the question and to know that what the Honourable Member for Kai said in Council expressed the true feelings of the Chinese on the subject, and was no prejudiced utterance of his own opinions.
Chinese customs being as thus described, it is impossible for your Petitioners to refrain from discussing with vigour the question...