The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1845-01-09
coURTsHIp OF THE oLDEN TIME.

ne annexed article, giving an account
of different modes in which couriship was
carried on in olden times, and among ancient
nations, is takenfrom the columns of an old
magazine:
The Hebrews were a peculiar people IN
all respects, and not least SO in a matrimoni-
al view. The operations devolving upon the
Israeiitish juveniles, before attaining 10 the
Joys of connubiality, were emphatically Pc
%culiar. For instance, when Isaac desired a
wife for himself, his father sent Elizar, his
servant, TO court a bride for him. Isaac did
not say, sif | will make myself beloved OF a
maiden, | must entertain her with fine dis.
courses and presents, | must inees-
%sently praise her beauty; | must only go by
night TO see her; when a thing is known 10 a
third person, it never succeeds not at all
l-neither he nor bis father knew Rebecca.
But after Elizur had made his proposals., La-
ben, her brother, asked herifshe would go
with man? And she answered, 81 viii 60"
We see that love was not consulted in this
case; this marriage was rather a bargain be-
tween Abraham and Rebeeca. Nor was il
customary for the affections 10 rule, there be-
ing ol!entimes no consultation between the
parties. 1t was usual for women 10 he
courted by proxy. Thus Sechem, though
strongly moved to love Dinah, did not dis
close in the bosom of his beloved, but made
advantageous offers to her brothers, task me
never so much dowry, and | viii give accord
ing as you will say unto me-" jacob, how
ever, made an innovation upon this custom,
and visited Rachael himself; he drew near
and kissed, and lifted up his voice and wept.
Jacob made another advance upon his times.
We have said that love had but little TO do
with their marriages; wives were regarded as
a species of sisTes,and not al all as compani-
ons, hence filthy %lucfe,n was The cham
which ruled the marriage ties. Affection
and sentiment gave place to gold and goods.
Bui Jacob was a sentimental lover, and when
lie found he had not treasure equal 10 The
price SET upon Rachael, he condescended to
purchase her by labor and servitude, and man
fesled disappointment when The tender-eyed
Leah was failhlessly imposed upon him in
stead Of the beautiful Rachael.
1t has been a custom IN all times, for the
declaration oflove to fall upon the men,
Whether this is proper or not, long,usagc has
given it an authority not easily overcome,
but there have been exceptions 10 this rule.
An lsraelitish widow, had by law the pow
tof claiming in marriage the brother of her
deceased husband; and he, in return, bad
the liberty TO refuse-under this condition,
however, thatihe woman shonlae cone to him
in the presence Of the elders, and loose the
shoe from his foot and spit in his face. A
similar custom prevails among the Hurons
and ~lroquois When a wife dies, the hus-
band is obliged to marry the sister, or, in
her stead, the woman whom the family OF the
deceased shall select. A widow is also OBJ
liged to marry a brother other deceased hus-
band. The same thing is practised is the
Caroline islands.
In the lsthmds Of Darien, the right ofask-
ing in marriage is lodged in, and promiscous-
ly exercised by both sexes, without the least
! hesitation or embarrassment; and in the Uk-
rain the same thing is carried farther, the wO-
man more generally court than the men,
When young woman falls Move with aman
she goes TO his fathers house and reveals
her passion in a most tender and pathetic
manner, and promises the most submissive
obedience. Should he make excuse, she re
solves 10 persevere, and take up her lodging
there should've continue obstinate the church
o takes her side, her kindred are ready to a.
venge her honor, and be has no method bu
TO betake himself to fight, ill she is otheI
wise disposed of.
From the story of Samson and Delilah, i
would seem that the young men of Israe
were denied the power of asking a female
in marriage. Samson saw in Tennah on
that was beautiful, and he said to his father
Il have seen a woman of the daughters o
1.-THE Pnilistiues, now therefore get her for M,
to wife" But his parents objected he, how
ever, did not elOpe, or threaten TO 90 10 Tex
as-he merely repeated "get her for me SIT
p~leaseth me WE'LL"
From the time OF the nation spoken of f
the Greeks, little is known of this matter.-
Ia the East, the woman being so little seen
!. the privilege of courtship was eagerly seizet
and as there was often a plurality of lovers
it soon became fashinable to fight for 'faiI
lady, As society improved, this barbarit
declined, and, instead of fighting, a publ
exhibition of dexterity in exercise and i
arms was the criterion of desert. But as thi
gave rise to animosities, which were handle.
from generation, 10 generation a method c
bargain and sale marked the farther progress
of society.
Thus it was amongst the Greeks. AS
lover seldom had an opportunity to disclose
his passion TO his mistress, he was accus,om
ed TO inscribe her name on the walls of hl
hose, the trees in the public walk, and t
deck the door ofhis fair ones house with flow
ers and g~arlands and to make libration c
wine before il, and sprinkle the enlranc