Note 109 — XV. MISS YING-NING; OR, THE LAUGHING GIRL.

Marriage between persons of the same surname is forbidden by law, for such are held to be blood relations, descended lineally from the original couple of that name. Inasmuch, however, as the line of descent is traced through the male branches only, a man may marry his cousins on the maternal side without let or hindrance except that of sentiment, which is sufficiently strong to keep these alliances down to a minimum. return to footnote anchor 109 return to footnote 492 return to footnote anchor 494