History of Human Marriage (6 Vols-Set)

Contents: Vol. I: Preface. Introduction : The method of investigation. 1. The origin of marriage. 2. A human pairing season in primitive times. 3. A criticism of the hypothesis of promiscuity: alleged instances of peoples living in promiscuity. 4. A criticism of the hypothesis of promiscuity: pre-nuptial unchastity. 5. A criticism of the hypothesis of promiscuity: The Jus Primao Noctis. 6. A criticism of the hypothesis of promiscuity:  religious prostitution -- the leading and exchange of wives--feasts. 7. A criticism of the hypothesis of promiscuity: the classificatory system of relationship.

Vol. II: Preface. 8. A criticism of the hypothesis of promiscuity: mother-right. 9. A criticism of the hypothesis of promiscuity: masculine jealousy. 10. The frequency of marriage and the marriage age. 11. Celibacy. 12. Sexual modesty. 13. Courtship. 14. Secondary sexual characters in animals: female coyness. 15. Primitive means of attraction. 16. Primitive means of attraction (concluded).

Vol. III: Preface. 17. Sexual selection in man. 18. Endogamy. 19. Exogamy. 20. Exogamy (concluded). 21. Marriage by capture.

Vol. IV: Preface. 22. Consent as a condition of marriage. 23. Marriage by consideration and by the exchange of presents gifts to the bride and the bridegroom. 24. Marriage-rites. 25. Marriage rites (continued). 26. Marriage rites (concluded).

Vol. V: Preface. 27. Monogamy and Polygyny. 28. Monogamy and Polygyny (concluded). 29. Polyandry. 30. Polyandry (concluded). 31. Group-marriage and other group-relations. 32. The duration of marriage and the right to dissolve it. 33. The duration of marriage and the right to dissolve it (concluded).

Vol. VI: Preface. Authorities quoted. Index.

"The book, running into six volumes, provides encyclopaedic information on the institution of marriage. Tracing the origin and development of the institution of marriage, it deals not only with marriage, in a narrow sense of the term, but every aspect of heterosexuality--celibacy, incest, promiscuity, premarital sex, religious prostitution, female coyness, endogamy, exogamy, monogamy, polygamy and polyandry. It also discusses at length the marriage rites performed across the world." (jacket)