The German Civil Code (_Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch für das Deutsche Reich_), which became law on January 1, 1900, has been described by Professor Maitland as "the most carefully considered statement of a nation's law that the world has ever seen." It is in the Fourth Book of this scientific codification, under the general title of Family Law, that we find the German statutes of to-day on marriage and divorce. A summary of these statutes follows: MARRIAGE.--Religious definitions, dogmas and obligations respecting marriage are not affected or considered by the German Code. Marriage is treated as a civil contract to which the State is always an added party. A legitimate child requires, before the completion of his twenty-first year, the approval of his father for concluding a marriage; an illegitimate child requires, before reaching maturity, the approval of the mother. A male reaches his majority at twenty-one years of age and a female at the completion of her sixteenth year, for the purpose of marriage. IMPEDIMENTS TO MARRIAGE.--A marriage cannot be concluded between relatives by blood in the direct line nor between brothers and sisters of full blood or half blood, nor between persons one of whom has had sexual intercourse with the parents, grandparents or descendants of the other. Persons in the military service, aliens and officials who by the law require special permission to become married cannot conclude a marriage without permission. FORM OF MARRIAGE.--A marriage is concluded by the parties appearing together and declaring before a registrar, in the presence of two witnesses, their intention to become husband and wife. VOIDABLE MARRIAGES.--A marriage may be avoided by a spouse who has been induced to enter the marriage status by fraud concerning such facts as would have deterred him or her from concluding the marriage had he or she been acquainted with the actual state of affairs. A marriage cannot be avoided on the ground of fraud or misrepresentation as to the pecuniary means of either party. HUSBAND AND WIFE.--The parties are mutually bound to live in conjugal community. The right to decide in all matters affecting the common conjugal life belongs to the husband. However, if the decision of the husband on these matters is an abuse and not a reasonable exercise of his right the wife is not bound to accept his decision.