Note 134 — Chapter II · THEORY OF THE HORDE AND MOTHER-RIGHT
Reading edition
On the so-called "Probeehen" or "Probenächte," see Buch, Die Wotjäken, 50, 51, 53, 57; Kohler, in ZVR., V, 346, 351, 338, 339; Post, Anfänge, 21; Düringsfeld, Hochzeitsbuch, 9; Schmidt, Jus primae noctis, 40; Weinhold, Deutsche Frauen, I, 261 ff.; Friedberg, Eheschliessung, 84; and especially Fischer, Ueber die Probenächte der teutschen Bauernmädchen, who gives a detailed historical investigation from the early Middle Ages onward, with interesting examples. Cf. Kovalevsky, Mod. Customs and Anc. Laws of Russia, 12, 13 (the Kirchgang or Dorfgehen of Switzerland, Baden, and Würtemberg).
Among the Todas, after a marriage is arranged, the bride has a proof-time of a night and a day. On the "expiry of this brief honeymoon," the damsel is required to make up her mind "either to accept or reject her suitor."—Marshall, A Phrenologist amongst the Todas, 212.