ART. 16] DOWER. 359

abandonment, which at the time of obtaining said divorce was not of
the character and duration specified in section 37 of this article, shall
not be estopped thereby from subsequently obtaining a divorce a vinculo
matrimonii on the ground of abandonment proved to be of the char-
acter and duration specified in said section 37.

1904, art. 16, sec. 40. 1888, art; 16. sec. 40. 1860, art. 16, sec. 29.
1842, ch. 198, sec. 2.

41. The admission of a respondent, of the facts charged in a bill
for divorce, who consents to the application, shall not be taken of itself
as conclusive proof of the facts charged, as the ground of the applica-
tion.

This section is a legislative recognition of the principle that the state has
a peculiar interest in the maintenance of the marriage ties. Fisher v. Fisher.
95 Md. 319.

The testimony of the plaintiff in divorce cases must be corroborated—art.
35, sec. 4.

Dower.

Ibid. sec. 41. 1888, art. 16, sec. 41. 1860, art. 16, sec. 30. 1840, ch. 98.

42. The several courts, of equity shall have full concurrent juris-
diction with the courts of law in all claims for dower, and shall have
power to try all questions of law which may arise in such cases, and
give as full relief in any case as the plaintiff could have obtained here-
tofore, in either a court of equity or a court of law, or in both courts.

Equity courts are authorized by this section to proceed according to their
usual course, and to finally adjudicate claims for dower according to equit-
able principles. Interest on arrears of dower. Costs in the assignment of
dower. Grove v. Todd, 45 Md. 257; Naill v. Maurer, 25 Md. 540.

Creditors can not take in execution the widow's right of dower in her
deceased husband's lands before such dower has been assigned, nor will equity
grant relief. Harper v. Clayton, 84 Md. 346.

For a case involving the validity of a marriage as affecting the claim to
dower, see Brooke v. Brooke. 60 Md. 524.

For cases involving the jurisdiction of equity relative to dower and rents
and profits prior to the adoption of this section, see Kiddall v. Trimble, 8
Gill, 207; Hopkins i: Frey, 2 Gill, 359; Kiddall v. Trimble, 1 Md. Ch. 145;
Wells v. Beall. 2 G. & J. 468.

As to dower, see also art. 45, sec. 6. et seq.; art. 46, sec. 62, et seq.; and
art. 93, sec. 301, et seq.

Ibid. sec. 42. 1888, art. 16, sec. 42. 1860, art. 16, sec. 31. 1832. ch. 302, sec. 7.

43. Where any infant feme covert shall, in respect of her dower,
unite with her husband in any conveyance or lease, executed and
acknowledged in form for passing feme covert's real estate, of any
lands, tenements or hereditaments, and the courts of equity of this
State shall, as concerns such feme covert's dower, deem such conveyance
or lease equitable, expedient or proper, the said court, on application
by any of the parties interested, and on proper parties defendants being
made, may, according to the rules of equity, proceed to adjudge and
decree that such conveyance or lease be confirmed and made valid from
the time of execution of the same, to every effect, intent and purpose,