Married Women In England

On the first day of this year the relations of husband and wife in England under went a complete change. The married woman's property act of 1882 is the last in a series of legislation entirely superseding the old eommon law rule that the rights of a wife are merged in her husband. The result is that there are four classes of married women in England having distinct rights and liabilities. First, those married before August 9, 1870 are entitled to their wages, and earnings and to any property the little to which accrues as from to-day. But their husbands are liable for their debts before ■ and after marriage. Those married between 1870 and 1884 are entitled in additiqn to the above to all sums coming to theru as next of kin under intestacy, to sums coming by will or deed up to 1,000, and to rents of freeholds descending to them as heiresses: Husbands of these women are not liable for debts contractcd beforo marriage. Wonicn married between 1871 and 1883 can make their husbands liable for debts only to the extent of the assets which the latter have received from their wivos. Women married after January 1, of this year, may acquirc, hold and dispose of real estáte and personal property in the same manner as if unmarried, without the intervention of t.rnctript! A wifn mMV now sue her band, prosocute him criminally and even makc him a bankrupt. It remains to be scen whetlier or not tliis change ia the law will increase the business of the divorce courts.