The virtue of the female is of the essence of the offense, although the words "of previous chaste character" may not be embodied in the statute defining it.104 A female of previous chaste character is one who is innocent and virtuous and has never had illicit intercourse with any man, and who lives a chaste and pure life.105 But even though a female may have surrendered her virtue by illicit intercourse with other men, but has reformed and abandoned her former life, she may be the subject of seduction.106

99 People vs. Kehoe, 123 Cal., 224;

Hughes Cr. Law, Sec. 2140.

100 State vs. Hughes, 106 Iowa, 125;

Hughes Cr. Law, Sec. 2140. 101 Bailey vs. State, 36 Tex. Cr., 540; State vs. Brassfield, 81 Mo., 151; McTyer vs. State, 91 Ga., 254.

102 State vs. Knudson, 91 La., 549;

State vs. Prizer, 49 Iowa, 531;

People vs. Samonset, 97 Cal., 448; Callahan vs. State, 73

Ind., 198, the promise need not be binding. 103 Wood vs. State, 48 Ga., 192;

Norton vs. State, 72 Miss., 128. 104 Norton vs. State, 72 Miss., 128;

People vs. Clark, 33 Mich., 112;

Brock vs. State, 95 Ga., 474; State vs. Jones, 16 Kan., 608; Polk vs. State 40 Ark., 482; People vs. Roderigas, 49 Cal., 9; Wilson vs. State, 73 Ala., 533; 2 McClain Cr. Law, Sec. 1113.

105 State vs. Crowell, 116 N. C, 1052; Mills vs. Com., 93 Va., 815; Keller vs. State, 102 Ga., 506; People vs. Nelson, 153 N. Y., 90; Underbill's Cr. Ev., Sec. 392.

106 State vs. Timmers, 4 Minn., 333; State vs. Knudson, 91 Iowa, 549; Kelly vs. State, 33 Tex. App., 31; Patterson vs. Hay-den, 17 Or., 238.