Litchfield enquirer., 1829-05-07
MISCELLANEOUS.
A GREEK WEDDING.

From the Ney- York Chronicle. The description of,a Greek wedding, in the an-
 nexed extract from letter by young Of
 fcer of our Navy, is lively picture of the manners of the Levant. The letter is da- ted Smyrna, Dec. 1, 1928, and addressed to one of the writer's near relations:
 $ was invited, ,the other day,to Greek Wedding, and was kind of groomsman on the occasion. After collecting all the company at the house, amounting to nearly forty, we each took lady, commenced our procession to the church, about a fur long distant, hanked on each side, and at distance from each other of ten feet, by boys, carrying large lanterns, with three candles in each. The streets ofthis place are about ten feet in width, very dirty, and very badly paved. On our arrival at the church, we entered the chancel, the bride and groom knelt down, and the Armenian Bishop commenced in modern Greek, interspersed here and there with Latin, the marriage ceremony. No one said a word, save the bishop and his assistant, who made regular responses, and told the bride and groom when to exchange rings, which was all they did in the ceremony. After at least twenty minutes, he declared them man and wife, and we entered the vestry room, to witness the signature of the marriage contract. That done, we de- parted in the same manner as we came.- Meanwhile, the inhabitants of every house which we passed on our way to church were prepared for our return-and we were deluged with otto of roses, diluted with water: and pelted with sugar plums of all sizes and kinds. I received blow on my cheek, the effects of which I fell all next day; and several of the ladies were hurt, though better prepared for the pelting, as they expected it. On our ar rival af the house, we were received by the band of an Austrian man-of-war, playing Hail Columbia," and marched up stairs ---ievery body lives on the second floor
 to that tune. As soon as the bride was seated, the fun commenced. The groom kissed her first, then every body followed so good an example; so that she received about forty kisses. After all had kissed the bride, we commenced kissing the bride maids, and then every woman in the room, old and young. handsome and ugly.
 The handsome girls received at least a dozen times as many as the ugly ones, as we, being strangers, were not supposed to know that one kiss vas all that was necessary, and therefore gave them three or four. In fact, never saw real kiss- ing match before. The ladies took it all in good part, and put out their lips, as much as to say--kiss away. Sugar plums, coffee, liquors, &Gc. were then handed round, as soon as we had drunk to the health, long life, dEc. of the bride, she commenced, and was followed by all the other ladies, throwing sugar plums at us. We returned the salute, and, for five ot ten minutes, there was grand discharge. when our ammunition was exhausted, we commenced dancing, and kept it up unti half past three, A. M. The bride re. tired at eleven, and was put to bed witl all the old ceremonies of throwing the stocking, breaking the cake, &c. I have been to church every Sunday since my ar- rival here, and have been much more pleased with the clergyman, Mr. Hartly, J than with anyI have ever heard, except Mr. -. He. yesterday gave us a ser, mon in continuation of one of the preced- ing Sunday, upon the dissemination of the christian religion in all parts of the world, in she last twcnty-four years, and more particularly in the Levant, the Morea, and