Moncelon remarks, “Elle est consultée quelquefois, mais souvent est forcée d’obéir. Alors elle fuit à chaque instant pour rejoindre l’homme qu’elle préfère.”[1335] In the Indian Archipelago, according to Professor Wilken, most marriages are contracted by the mutual consent of the parties.[1336] Among the Dyaks, “the unmarried girls are at perfect liberty to choose their mates.”[1337] In some parts of Java, much deference is paid to the bride’s inclinations;[1338] and, among the Minahassers of Celebes, courtship or love-making “is always strictly an affair of the heart and not in any way dependent upon the consent or even wish of the parents.”[1339] Similar statements are made by Riedel with reference to several of the smaller islands.[1340] Among the Rejangs of Sumatra, if a young man runs away with a virgin without the consent of her father, he does not act contrary to the laws of the country; and, if he is willing to make the usual payments afterwards, the woman cannot be reclaimed by her father or other kinsfolk.[1341] In Burma, “the choice of marriageable girls is perfectly free,” and marriages are occasionally contracted even in direct opposition to the parents.[1342] Among the Shans, mutual consent is required to constitute a valid union;[1343] and, regarding the Chittagong Hill tribes, Captain Lewin says that the women’s “power of selecting their own husband is to the full as free as that enjoyed by our own English maidens.”[1344] The same is the case with many, perhaps most, of the uncivilized tribes of India. The young couple often settle the affair entirely between themselves, even though marriages are ostensibly arranged by the parents;[1345] or the parents, before they give their children in marriage, consult them, and, as a rule, follow their likings.[1346] In case of parental objection, elopements frequently take place.[1347] Among the Kukis, a girl who runs away from a husband she does not like is not thought to act wrongly in doing so.[1348] Among the aboriginal tribes of China,[1349] the Ainos,[1350] Khamchadales,[1351] Jakuts,[1352] Ossetes,[1353] &c.,[1354] the daughter’s inclinations are nearly always consulted. And, in Corea, mutual choice was the ancient custom of the country.[1355]