from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
MATRIMONIAL CAUSES. In the English ecclesiastical courts there are five
kinds of causes which are classed under this head. 1. Causes for a malicious
jactitation. 2. Suits for nullity of marriage, on account of fraud, incest,
or other bar to the marriage. 2 Hagg. Cons. Rep. 423. 3. Suits for
restitution of conjugal rights. 4. Suits for divorces on account of cruelty
or adultery, or causes which have arisen since the marriage. 5. Suits for
alimony.