This Second Appeal is preferred against the decree and judgment of the learned Subordinate Judge, Tirunelveli, in A.S. No. 21 of 1955, reversing the decree and judgment of the learned District Munsif of Tuticorin in O.S. No. 42 of 1553.

The plaintiffs are the uterine brothers of the second defendant Gnanamuthammal whose husband is the first defendant. The father of plaintiffs and the second defendant died when the second defendant was very young. The second defendant has been brought up by the plaintiffs. The second defendant, not to put too fine a point on it, seems to have grown up into an ugly black woman. Therefore, eligible bridegrooms were not forthcoming to marry her. In fact she remained a comparatively old spinster till she was aged 28. In fact in this community of Nangudi Vellalas of Srivaikuntam, it is very unusual for a girl to remain unmarried till she becomes middle-aged. The plaintiffs finally selected the first defendant. They had to offer him special terms over and above the customary gift of a small extent of immovable property, which is prevalent in this community of Nangudi Vellalas and which custom is affirmatively found by both the Courts below and w