(১৮)
or premature marriages. There has always been a large amount of uncertainty and doubt in the public mind as to the minimum marriageable age of Native girls. Reference was therefore made a few months ago to the leading medical authorities in Calcutta, and what is the result? It has been what we had anticipated. The medical authorities in Calcutta almost unanimously declare, that sixteen is the minimum marriageable age of girls in this country. Dr. Charles makes a valuable suggestion; he holds that fourteen, being the commencement of adolescence, may for the present be regarded as the minimum age at which Native girls may be allowed to marry, and may serve as a starting point for reform in this direction. In conformity with his suggestion and the opinions given by the other referees, we have come to the conclusion that, for the present at least, it would be expedient to follow the provision in the Bill which makes fourteen the minimum marriageable age of girls in this country, leaving it in the hands of time to develope this reform slowly and gradually into maturity and fulness. Thus you see, gentlemen, that these marriage reforms are not directed exclusively against idolatry and caste, but are directed against the very root as well as the branches and fruits of that tree of corruption, which has for centuries caused many a man and woman in this country to suffer physically, intellectually, morally and spiritually. (Applause.)
