Volume 1 of 3. This work discusses the evolution of marriage from its earliest history through present times. This volume contains chapters relative to the following topics: on the method of investigation; origin of marriage; human pairing season in primitive times; criticism of the hypothesis of promiscuity: alleged instances of peoples living in promiscuity, prenuptial unchastity, Jus Primae Noctis, religious prostitution, lending and exchange of wives, feasts, classificatory system of relationship, mother right, masculine jealousy; frequency of marriage and the marriage age; celibacy; sexual modesty; courtship; secondary sexual characters in animals, female coyness; and primitive means of attraction.