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Obj. II. By the Laws of England, a Woman who has been beat and abus'd by her Huſband, may ſwear the Peace againſt him, and if he can't find Security for his Behaviour, ſend him to Jail.
To which I anſwer, Firſt, that ſometimes this Relief cannot be had, the Huſband having it in his Power to lock up his Wife, and ſo prevent her Complaint, as in ſome Caſes already cited.
Secondly, That the Conſequences of this Relief, (if it may be ſo called) bring great Hardiſhips upon the Wife.
I. As it expoſes her to the Reſentment of her Huſband at his Return Home, without abating his Power, which is ſo great, that he may revenge himſelf a thouſand Ways not cognizable by the Law.
2. That if he is a Tradeſman, or a Labourer, ſhe, and her Family depend upon him for Bread, and the Conſequence of his lying in Jail muſt be, that ſhe, and her Family muſt ſtarve.
Obj. III. The Wife may put her Fortune into Truſtees Hands before Marriage, and by that Means ſecure it for her own Uſe.
I acknowledge this to be available, if done
with
