That, in all other cases, an inventory shall be made and the spouse best fitted to the task be appointed guardian under the surveillance of one or two members of the family of the other spouse, with the obligation of furnishing estovers to the other.
That the decree granting the divorce or separation shall bear the number, name and age of the children born of the marriage, together with the annual sum that each party is bound to furnish for their maintenance and education.
That this decree shall state to whose custody the children are entrusted, whether by natural consent or by familial or judicial authority.
That it shall be placarded publicly in the courts, and inserted in the leading journals of the vicinity.
That this instrument shall accompany the publication of the bans of a subsequent marriage, under pain of heavy penalties.
READER. These measures are severe; if it would be easy to become divorced, it would not be easy to marry afterwards.
AUTHOR. I do not deny it; but it is better to prevent divorce by the difficulty of marrying afterwards, than by placing restrictions upon it; in the first case, the difficulty comes from the fetters which the individual has forged for himself; he makes his own destiny; in the second, individual liberty is infringed upon by social authority, which is an abuse of power.
READER. Let us enter upon the legal reforms concerning morals.
AUTHOR. We demand that every promise of marriage which is not fulfilled shall be punished with a fine and damages.
That every man whom an unmarried mother can prove by witnesses or letters, to be the father of her child, shall be subject to the burdens of paternity.