in Law, signify a contract or pro- mife made between a man and a woman to marry each other; and in cases where marriages may be consummated efposals go before. Marriage is termed an efposal de prefentis.

The efposals among the Jews were either by writing, or by a piece of silver given and received, or by cohabitation. Amongst the Greeks, after the parents and friends of the young couple had finifhed their negotiation, the couple themfelves pledged their faith to each other, the man swearing that he would be constant and true, the woman that she would marry him, and make him master of all she had. Then they ratified their agreement by a kiss and joining right hands.

Amongst the Romans the efposals confifted in an engagement of friends on both fides, whether abfent, or prefent, in public or without witneffes. But the common way was by writings drawn up by common consent, and fealed by both parties: befides this, the man fent a ring to the woman, confifting of iron and without a flone.