The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1841-09-09

I
from her forehead 10 her feet hung ! seil
oil gold threads. or rather gold tinsels,
which was sufficiently close 10 eonseaI
her face; her stockings were embroidered
silk, jour. and her slippers Of crimson
velvet worked with gold. The Priests
we've richly dressed in cloaks Of enhroi.
dered silk. After the ceremony Of he
blessing was concluded, the Bride was
conducted 10 the Harem apartment Of the
house, and as she assembled its steps, the
father and mother Of tie Groom threw
over her shoulders such showers Of small
coin, called PaEaS, that the steps were lii
orally covered with silver. st the he'd
Of each light Of stairs, she was met hy two
Young Armenian girls, very richly dressed.
holding walters Of perfumes and incense.
She was led TO seat on sofa. and each
Of the female guests went near and kissed
her. Not one relation accompanied her,
as II IS the custom for the parents aud re.
lalions OF the Bride 10 remain at home 10
mourn her loss; and only an old woman,
perhaps her nurse, attended her from her
parents house on this trying occasion.
She was compelled by custom to remain
without speaking for three days. except to
this one individual TO express her wants.
The dresses Of all the Armenian ladies
who were present, were OF rich brOcade
worked with gold; and their heads orna-
mcnied with masses of diamonds so hea-
w tina, many took them of as insupport-
able. Music was played in the hall: and
as II Is not the custom for Armenian ladies
TO dance, the servant maids danced for
their amusement and for joy. On the
morrow we were invited first 10 dinner,
aud then to the wedding. Dinner was
served both in the Salamlik and the la
rem, in European style; and at candle
Light music was again played in the hall.
The Bride was not present, but dined in
a separate apartment, attended BY the fe.
male who accompanied her from her mo.
Tiers. Afler dinner all the gentlemen me,
in the IIarem, except the Turks and Ar.
menians who were not relations. The
American Minister dined in the Harem,
and Mr.. - could have done so had
he desired 1t. Aiier dinner the evening
was passed in conversation and music.
The Bride SAT with rs part OF the time;
the groom asals0 prssent. but cnnld nni
see the face Of his bride, a. she still wore
her veil, and no did not speak to her.
She could see him easily through This veil,
and | doubt not but she took the oppoIln-
nifty Of seeing, for the first time, her has
band. Near midnight the Priests com.
mencedchaniing in the hall and burning in
cease, as signal that the ceremony was TO
commence. The Armenian ladies' left the
house for the Chapel. and repaired 70 their
apartment, which is separated from the
males by wickcr-work. The Bride was
conducted 10 the Chapel By her female al
tendant and the groomsman, young cou-.
sinof the groom. The bridal couple were
seated side by side Immediately opposite
the altar. The Groom was dressed in a
red Turkish cap, and his coat richly em-
broidcred with gold. The bride was en-
tircly concealed from view by red silk
covering like a bag, which went over her
head and down TO her feet. II was Trim.
med up each side with punches Of flowers
and ribbons, also over the top Of the head.
On the back Of the head was large orna-
ment Of pearls and diamonds. From her
forehead over this silk covering she still
wore her gold veil; and round the head
where il was tied, from one ear to the
other, were large ornaments Of splendid
diamonds. These diamonds were pre-
sent from the Groom. Before them on
table, was another cap and richly embroi-
dered coat lined with fur, which, after be-
ing blessed, was transferred 10 the body
ofthe Groom. WILTSHIRE ceremony was
going on, they either stood or knelt, with
their foreheads leaning together.
The ceremony appeared to be some
what like the Episcopal form. Each was
asked in tnn, whether they took the 9TH
or g for better for WORSE" and with the
addition "if blind or MANNED, or hand
some or ugly;" as il is presumed. they
have never seen each others face. Il is
said these unions Of sight unseen arefrc-,
quently followed by immediate separation,
the bride not being as handsome as anti
cipatcd. However in this instance no.
thing of the kind could possibly occur, as
the Bride, besides being only IA years Of
age, was very beautiful. The language Of
the ceremony appeared to be very touch
ing, las it was in Arminian we could not
understand it;) the young Groom's face
was ba;hcd in tears, and every individual
listened with profound silence. Whilst
their foreheads leant together, twine Of
silk was passed over their necks as sym
Dol of the union into which they had EN-.
tered. Alter a few prayers, the Bishop
who was present gave them his blessing,
and the ceremony was finished. In front
of the altar stood a great arm chair, in
which the Bishop had occasionally repos-
cd during the ceremony; and as soon as
he vacated il and retired TO divest himself
of his sacerdotals, youth Of ten years Of
. a1e- cousin In the groom. and certainly