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If the wife wishes to leave her husband, she must pay him 12 zho and one suit
of clothes. The wife on separation also receives the clothes given to her at her
marriage, a list of which is always taken, or its equivalent in money.
Should there be children, the father takes the boys and the mother the girls;
the father paying from 5 to 15 zho for each son, called the price of milk. If the
woman has committed no fault, she receives her ornaments.
Should a family wish to separate, a list of the who property should be taken
and divided according to circumstances. The father and mother are asked with
whom they would like to live, and if there is any dispute about it, lots are draws. The
married children’s property is first separated from the rest, and if any children are
going to school, their expenses must be taken from the whole before decision.
No. 14.—TAKING ANOTHER’S WIFE OR ADULTERY
The old law runs that if any one takes a Raja’s or Lama’s wife, he may be
banished, have his hands cut off, or his penis cut off. He may also have to pay a
weight in gold equal to his penis and testicles. For violating a woman of different
position 3oz. of gold have to be paid to the woman’s relations and 4 gold srang to
Government, besides many things in kind.
For violation of a woman of the same position, 2 or 3 gold srang and several
kinds of articles have to be paid.
If the woman goes of her own accord to the man, he has only to pay 1 gold
srang and three kinds of articles.
Should one man’s wife entice another married man to go with her, she has to
pay seven things in kind.
Should a man and woman cohabit on a journey there is no fine.
No. 15.—LAW OF CONTRACT
Should any one take a loan of cattle, yaks, sheep, &c., and they die in his charge,
he must pay for them. Should they die one night after being returned, it is the
owner’s loss. If they die before midnight of the night they are returned, the borrower
has to pay.
Should a horse die whilst on loan from a wound, one-fourth to one-third its
value will have to be paid.
Should any one having made an agreement to take anything refuse to take
it, the articles being good, he must pay one-fourth its value. If there be any mistake
in an account, it can be rectified up to one year.
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