American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-12-16
From the New York Sunday Times.
A HEBREW WEDDING.

There is always something peculiarly solemn
and imposing in the marriage ceremony. A
daughter leaves the home Of her childhood
the parents who have fondly reared, educated
and loved her-the brothers and sisters so ma
turally attached and devotedly affectionate
towards her. She leaves her apartment, where
every piece of furniture is memorial, and
even the old domestcs of the family, who have
lived in the domicil in which she was born,
and who have loved her. She quits an entire
world, TO her, of youthful happiaess, to en-
counter the pains and penalties, responsible.
ties, changes, and probably pleasures of a mar
ried life-with a stranger, 1t is true, but one to
whom she is fondly atlached--and launches
her bark gaily on an unrutfled sea, without
perceiving its depth, or the pillows which roll
below, swelling and heaving when agitated by
the furious winds.
Customs change with times, and habits con-
form to the age in which we live. What an
important affair a wedding was in the olden
times There was no such thing as jumping
into hack, riding to minister, gettinS,,mar-
ried in five minutes, driving down to steam
boat, and taking iaunt into the country
Such ndelcacies are fashionable, it is true, but
they are still indicate, and hostile to the sa
cred character of the civil and religious insti-
tuition itself. When in old times lady's per-
sonal attractions were such as TO make u deep
impression on gentleman, there was no hasty
introduction, dancing quadfllle together,
swallowing an ice, and popping the question
The gentleman was at great pains to seek an
introduction to the father of the young lady,
and he in turn was no less inquistive 10 know
who he was-his family, his connections, his
occupation and character-before he invited
him to his house. These points satisfactorily
settled, he was introduced in form to his daugh-
ter; and the parties if they liked each other,
after reasonable time passed in each other =
company-when the temper, habits, acquire
ments, and accomplishments OF each were
known-alloWed to be engaged; but the father
was in no haste to get rid of his daughter, and
the young man continued his visits until his
business prospects allowed him 10 maryland
such marriages were most happy, fiom the
usual cautions observed by parents. Now it
is otherwise: parties marry in haste, and repent
at leisure.
The Hebrews attached SO much value and
importance to marriage-it was u ceremony so
imposing in its character, and attended with
SO many forms and preparations-so many
guarantees and assurances-so much time &C.
cupied, and so many negotiations completed
that the husband remembered his marriage a nd
its obligations as the most solemn of his duties
Remembered it as the most suspicious day of
his life; and great value aud importance were
given TO the institution of marriage to produce
this very desirable result.
A few days ago, Hebrew wedding took
place in this city between two young couple,
who had been engaged some year and half to
each other In order to give to all their friends
and companions an opportunity of being pre-
sent on the occasion, the Minerva Rooms, in
Broadway, were engaged--a practice general
ly prevailing in Europe, and worthy OF imita-
ton in this country, as our houses are 80 small
that few beyond the family circle can be ac-
commodated at marriage festival. The cefe-
mony was to take place in the afternoon, and
the carriages continued to arrive with the la
dies and gentlemen until three o'clock. The
gentlemen repaired to the large saloon, which
was brilliantly illuminated with gas. The af-
tsrnoon prayers was said by the officiating
priest, and the ceremony of signing and wit
Messing the contract then took place, the bride
groom only signing tho various obligations in
use since the Babylonlsh captivity. That con-
clnded, a canopy of crimson damask was OPEN
cd, and held by four young gen lemen, wear.
ing the insignia of groomsmon, and from an
opposite door, the BRIDE entered, dressed richly
in white satin, her head olnalncuted with white
dowerq, from which WAS suspended rich veil