[55] If it is a crime to buy and sell wives, let the men who do such things be punished; if there is no crime in the transaction, why should the wife who is sold be punished. Unfortunately this is not a solitary instance of law made or administered to punish women in order to teach men.—English Women’s Suffrage Journal.
Before Mr. Justice Denman, at the Liverpool Assizes, Betsey Wardle was charged with marrying George Chisnal at Eccleston, bigamously, her former husband being alive. It was stated by the woman that, as her first husband had sold her for a quart of beer, she thought she was at liberty to marry again.
George Chisnal, the second husband, apparently just out of his teens was called.
His Lordship—“How did you come to marry this woman?”
Witness [in the Lancashire vernacular]—“Hoo did a what?” [Laughter.]
Question repeated—“A bowt her.” [Laughter.]
His Lordship—“You are not fool enough to suppose you can buy another man’s wife?” Oi? [Laughter.]
His Lordship—“How much did you give for her?” Six pence. [Great laughter.]
His Lordship asked him how long he had lived with the prisoner.
Witness—“Going on for three years.”