Chap. 365.—An ACT to amend and re-enact section 2257 of the code, in re-
lation to divorces.

Approved February 23, 1894.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That section
two thousand two hundred and fifty-seven of the code of Virginia,
edition eighteen hundred and eighty-seven, be amended and re-
enacted so as to read as follows:

§ 2257. Divorces from bond of matrimony.—A divorce from the
bond of matrimony may be decreed for adultery; for natural or in-
curable impotency of body existing at the time of entering into the
matrimonial contract; where either of the parties is sentenced to
confinement in the penitentiary (in which case no pardon granted
to the party so sentenced shall restore such party to his or her con-
jugal rights); where, prior to the marriage, either party, without the
knowledge of the other, had been convicted of an infamous offence ;
and where either party charged with an offence punishable with
death or confinement in the penitentiary has been indicted, is a
fugitive from justice and has been absent for two years; where either
party willfully deserts or abandons the other for three years, such
divorce may be decreed to the party abandoned; and where, at the
time of the marriage, the wife, without the knowledge of the hus-
band, was with child by some person other than the husband, or
prior to such marriage had been, without the knowledge of the hus-
band, a prostitute, such divorce may be decreed to the husband; but
no such divorce shall be decreed if it appears that the party apply-
ing for the same has cohabited with the other after knowledge of
such conviction of an infamous offence, or has cohabited with the
wife after knowledge of the fact that ‘she was with child or had
been a prostitute as aforesaid.

2. This act shall be in force from its passage.