rder for Protection of Wife's Property.

When a wife is able to prove that her husband has deserted her without
cause and against her will, she may obtain from the Matrimonial Court,
or from the judge ordinary, an order to protect her against his
creditors, and against any person claiming under him, by way of
purchase or otherwise, any property she may acquire by her own lawful
industry, or may become possessed of after such desertion.

1577. Obtaining an Order.

The order may in any case be obtained from the court, and when the
wife lives in London, from a police magistrate; or where she lives in
the country, from two magistrates sitting in petty sessions.

1578. Nature of the Order (1).

The order does not prevent the Husband returning to his Wife, but only
prevents his taking her earnings while the desertion eontinues.

[HOME IS HOME, BE IT EVER SO HOMELY.]

1579. Nature of the Order (2).

The order, when obtained, puts the wife in the same position with
regard to ownership of property and the right to sue and be sued upon
contracts (that is, all bargains and business transactions), as if she
had obtained the decree of judicial separation, placing her, in fact,
if the situation of a single woman.

1580. Penalty.

If after this Order is made, the husband, or any creditor of his, or
person claiming through him by purchase or otherwise, should seize or
continue to hold any property of the wife, after notice of such order,
the wife may bring an action against her husband or such other person,
and may recover the property itself, and double its value in money.

1581. Liability of Husband for Wife's Debts.

A husband is only liable for the debts and liabilities of his wife
contracted before marriage to the extent of the property which he
receives from, or becomes entitled to through his wife. The wife
herself is liable to the extent of her separate property for all debts
incurred by her either before or after marriage.

1582. Earnings, etc., of Married Women.

A married woman, after January 1, 1883, may carry on business separate
from her husband, and is entitled absolutely for her separate use to
all wages and earnings acquired by her in any employment, occupation,
or trade, in which she is engaged, and which she carries on separately
from her husband, and to all money acquired by her through the