The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1820-08-22
Wl SOM,LIs .s,.A!NYo
A MODERN CREEK MARRIAGE.

We went to the wedding ola Greek lady.
daughter of the first physician. As the ceremo-
ny was curious, shall attempt 10 describe it to
you. Cloves and nutmegs, wrapped up in a
small parcel, were left AT the house of the consul
where we Lived, and this is the mode of invitation
to wedding at Patras.-T The poorer elias. leave
only cloves, nntmega being dear. When we
rived at the door of the court yard, found the
physician's Janssary ia waiting in rich robe of
scarlet his pistol of embossed silver, stuck in
his ak girdle, were opposed TO vest of blue
velvet trimmed with gold lace his turban, short
petticoat, and trowsers wcrr OF the purest white
and his CATERS were of scarlet velvet embroder-
ed with gold his dress indeed, might have
suited prince. Every farthing which these ser.
wants receive in wages is laid out on clothes, and
they contrive to preserve the I'm WE'LL
The court before the house was miserable and
dirty, and the house itself had very mean APP
pearance. We assembled by a board ladder, and
found the mother Of the bride, with some other
ladies standing in the entry, but they did moi
seem to take any part in the ceremony of receive
ing the visitors. On entering the room where
the marriage ceremony Gas performed, we found
the father of the lady, fine looking old man,
dressed in rich robes, with cylinder cap of fur
like large muf, seated on his divan or sefa.
which was about nine feet broad, and went all
| round the room, provided with cushion. at the
back. TO this we were conducted. and found
ourselves raised about eighteen niche. from the
door, We squatted down like the Greeks. with
our legs under ms, when handsome aud elegant
attendant, in robes Of blue and purple, stepped
forward, and presented each of US with a long
pipe, which we smoaked, talking and singing to
each other as well "a we could, IN testimony Of
our pleasure. The roora was wretchedly fur
Dshed few coarse wooden chairs all differ
emit in fashion and size-a wooden clock-a press
three or four bsrbarous pictures Of the Virgin
and child, and the Apostles. the faces and crown
Of glory done in raised tin, AMI the drapery Of
paint. shortly after our arrival, seven or eight
priests with long heads entered, dressed in
| black a small rickety table baing then brought
to the middle of the roos, the robes OF the priests
wrapped up m bundles were laid on il and OPEN
| ed by the priests. The dresses were different,
but all highly ornamcnted with flowers and en-
broidery. When their ordinary dress was con-
cealed by their canonicas, the ecclesiastcs Iuok-
ed pretty we'll.
! large book was put upon the table. with
some wine in a tumbler, and roll of bread.
Then entered the bridegroom man about fifty,
IN pclisse of pale blue, and white loose Dutch
looking breeches: his turban as white as snow,
and whskers al tremendous size Next appear
ed the lady about thirty wears Of age, short,
and rather pretty. Her hair. which was hardly
TO be Uncovered through the pro:usien of golden
and gilded ornaments, hung down behind. mix
/
Across her forehead was hand, on which were
fixed various gold coins. She wore dark pur-
pie pelisse edged with fur, under which was
short vest Of white silk. richly embroidered a
zone Of silk, with richly embossed clasps. like
small saucers. encircled the lower part of her
waist and hung down upon her lotus. She look.
ed very shy and modest Every eye was fixed
upon her. Behind her stood her mother holding
her up; the good old lady's hair was dyed red,
The fvourite color of hair in Greece.
The ceremony, as nearly as can recollcct.
wa. IS follows One the priests took up some
frsnkincensc. which wa. lishte! in a censor he
| then waited the smoke among hi. brethren. Two
wax candles. lighted wero gwen 10 the bride
and bridegroom by another priest, which they
| kissed; they also kissed his hand ; the candles
were then pui down, aud the same priest read
prayers. The rings then produced, and
| placed upon the book with which the priest adj
| vaneed, and asked the respective parties il they
desired to be married Upon receiving their an.
| swer in the affirmative, he touched their head.
| three times with their rings, which were d liver
! ed to the person who gave away the bride. THIS
| person tthe Austrian consul) put them on the
| finger Of each, changing them three times alter
| naely from the bride aud bridegroom. Then the
| descriptr of the marriage Of Cana in Galiiee
| was read in a chanting tone Both seemed
much affected, and thought the poor bride
| would faint.
Matrimonial crowns were placed upon their
| heads, and a more whmsioa al and ridiculous Sigh.
| ! never saw. These crowns were Of conical
form, composed Il the merest tinsel gold leaf
! and spun gas. They were changed from one
head TO the other three times the rings
taken off by the priest, and again replaced.
While six ofthe priests were singing the service,
| the seventh took up the roll of tread, and cut
| out two small pieces, which no put into the
wine. The sacrament was then administered.
and prayers aud chanting recommended
While this was going on the bride and bride
groom were led three times round the table in
the sowest possible manner /; looking like con
demned criminals, aud full as melancholy az IL
they had been going to be hanged. At that
time smoke from the frankinceu.e was waited in
great profusion among the spectators. When
the ceremony was finished, the father kissed his
son and daughter, sewise did most OF
their friends. Still the chanting continued,
while the priests were unrobng and packing up
their oanonicals in bundles. like so many ped
lars folding up their wares. The bride and
bridegroom marched of with their precious crowns
upon their heads. They had lived together at
the lady's fathers fer eight days, at the expira-
| ton of which the lady went to her husbands
house in full procession. While walking amidst
multitude of women and children she was sup
ported by two females and seemed TO lean her
| whole weight upon them, as IL about TO sink to
he ia. -. 49, =