Nancy, I would guess that "vulgar assault" would be a rape by today's standards. They language was just different for it then. I'm sure a native speaker could shed more light on that. I would guess that rapes or vulgar assaults have been around since the beginning of time, but now it is more widely reported and receives more press in the news. I would guess that back in the 1800s (or earlier) it was considered something that the woman did to deserve it. Very different perception then.
I've seen a record on Sao Miguel where it says the baby was born to the man, single, adulterer and to the woman, married to so-and-so. By today's standards though, the woman was the adulterer, as she was the one who was married. I guess that would make the man a "player?" Is that the current lingo for men who mess around with married women? Cheri Mello Listowner, Azores-Gen Researching: Vila Franca, Ponta Garca, Ribeira Quente, Ribeira das Tainhas, Achada -- To unsubscribe from this group, send email to azores+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Follow the confirmation directions when they arrive. For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership."
