The first of these articles was published in the August number of the Westminster Review for 1888. It was entitled “Marriage,” and is here reprinted with additions and modifications. The last was published in the Westminster Review for January and February 1894, and is the last article in this volume.

It is extremely difficult to compile a volume of essays, written at different times, on the same subject, especially if that subject be controversial, without repeatedly insisting on the same fundamental points of the argument; for on those points the whole contention hangs. Each essay, being self-contained, is bound to dwell upon them more or less, since no sub-argument is of any final value unless the main ground of the doctrine be also stated. Certain repetitions which occur in this volume are therefore intentional, indeed, unavoidable. In writing on this question from time to time, I have been endeavouring to go over the whole field generally, and in particular, treating the matter mainly from the historical point of view, and as much as possible—considering the vastness of the subject and the number of its branches—in a condensed form.

The whole series will be found to bring evidence from all sides, to prove that the greatest evils of modern society had their origin, thousands of years ago, in the dominant abuse of patriarchal life: the custom of woman-purchase.