Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-09-15
AN ARMENIAN wEDpINo.

The author witnessed in company
with Lady Strabgford. We went q
bout eight o'clock in the evening, and
found the house lighted up. and full
Of the lsdy's friends, among whom were
the priest who was 10 perform the SER
vice. and his wife. both very plain and
simple-looking persons. We passed
through several ante-rooms full Of peo-
pie. and were finally usbered into an
inner and secluded chamber. round
which was divan. On this sat cross
legged q number Of Armenian ladies'.
two or three deep. and at the far corner
was mstionless figure. like bust 10
niche. covered with q rich veil, gilt
teriEg Nth gold. which hung down on
all sides, so as entirely to conceal her
figure beneath il. The bust was the
bride. Across the room was line of
men, two or three deep. who stood gaz-
ing on her in silence. In compliment
to our Frank customs, chairs were pre-
cured for US in the neighborhood, on
which We sat. aud continued gazing
on her in silence in the same way
To crafty US. the bride permitted her
vel. TO be raised little; IL was Instantly
dropped again. but the glimpse we bad
showed W slight figure and pale face,
with countenance exceedingly PEN
sive and joyless. Her companions.
however, were Of different character.
They were all unveiled, and displayed
faces radient with beauty and cheerful
ness. Some ofthem were exceeding
ly lovely. crowned with coronets Of
gold. and their long hair Aoaied about
them in extraordinary profusion down
to the divan. like the veil Of the bride.
Though seemingly in high spirits, they
spoke in whispers. and all their mo-
tons were tempered by gen,leness and
modesty. After some refreshments
and music, an open space was cleared
before the bride, on which two embroi-
dered mats were laid. On them were
placed two enormous candlesiicks, con-
tanning wax tapers OF proportionable
size. and between them was a third, of
still greater magnitude, without stand,
but bound upright to the other two by
ribbons. This mysterious emblem
was called 1.-The nuptal taper" II
presented the maiden state Of the girl,
and was to burn till that state expired.
II was then extinguished, aud kept as
relic by the family. The snuff Of
the wick became the perquisite Of the
priest. who attributed to il many coniu-
gal virtues. The priest was now call
ed on to perform another important
ceremony. A low table was placed
near the nuptial taper. covered with a
white cloth. The priest took from his
bosom q small cruci6x and waving il
several times in the air over the table,
he uttered benediction, and conclud-
ed with a psalm. We were curious to
see what mystery was under this cloth.
II was slowly lifted up. and there ap-
peared rich shawl, which was taken
up and wrapped about the bride. This
ceremony was deemed one Of the most
important parts ofthe marriage service.
and is called blessing the nuphal
shawl" When these and other rites
were over we expected to see the BRIDE
groom, but he never appeared. He
was down in Galata enjoying himself
with his friends; nor was II till the end
Of three days that the bride was carried
to him wrapped up in her shawl, like
child in swaddling cloths. when the
husband saw her for the first time, and
the final ceremony was performed.
/ Dr.. Waith'S RssidsAes al CSnstsniinepLs.