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out of allodial property, or out of fiefs. With thewidow, it remained during her life, and on herdeath it passed to the heirs of her husband Ingeneral , it was regulated by his deed. In someplaces it was governed by custom. It was sometimesconstituted by ceremonies, which grew out of theparticular situation of parties ( 5 ); and , when noprivate act had taken place, where no customdirected , and where no peculiarity of situation pre-vailed, it was fixed and ascertained by establishedand statutory laws (6).
Nor was it a dower only, that the husband bestowedon the wife. The morning after his nuptials, he madeher a present, which was valuable in proportionto his generosity and wealth. This acquisition isknown by the appellation oSmorgenga.be (7); and .poisesting it in full property, she could convev itaway during her life, allow it to pass to her heirs,or dispose of it by a deed, to take effect afterdeath (8).
The experience of the uses of property was toproduce a solicitude to possess it. While the dowerand the morgengabe gave distinction to the wife,the daughter was to know the necessity of aqui-sitions, and to wish for them. The parent wasto encourage her hopes, and to gratify his affec-tions. He was to make her state correspond tohis riches and his dignity. The refining intercourse,and the rising luxuries of society , were to demandthis attention. A portion was to go from thebride to the husband. The personal fortune, towhich the daugnter had been a stranger in the