[594] On this doctrine, with the leading cases, see Kent, Commentaries (14th ed., Boston, 1896), II, secs. 87 ff., pp. 119 ff.; Reeve, The Law of Husband and Wife ("Domestic Relations"), 250-58; Greenleaf, Law of Evidence (16th ed., Boston, 1899), II, secs. 460-64, pp. 441-47; and especially Bishop, Mar., Div., and Sep., I, secs. 409 ff., pp. 176 ff.
[595] See chaps. xii-xv, inclusive.
[596] Cook, "The Marriage Celebration in the United States," Atlantic, LXI, 521. "But in the early part of this century there arose in the courts a discussion regarding the nature of our common law, and the relation of that law to our statute law in governing the celebration of marriage—a discussion which since then has constantly increased, and has gradually brought about a revolution unparalleled in the history of our subject."—Ibid.
[597] Chap. xv, sec. ii; chap. xiii, sec. iv.
[598] Chap. xiii, sec. i.
[599] Hening, Statutes, I, 252, 253. See chap. xiii, sec. i.
[600] For these colonies see chap. xiii, secs, iii, iv.
[601] Chap. xiv, sec. i, c).
[602] Chap. xii, sec. vi.
[603] MSS. Records of the County Court of Middlesex (Apr. 1, 1656), I, 80.