The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-09-29
ANCIENT COURTSHIPS.IN VARIOUS
AGES AND VARIOUS COUNTRIES.

The Hebrews were a peculiar people in
all respects, and not least so in a matrimo-
nial view.--The obligations devolyins upon
no Jewish juveniles. before attaining to the
joys Of counubiali,y, were emphaiically pecu-
lar. For instance. when Isaac desired n
wife fnr himself, his father sent Elizur. his
servant, to court a bride for him. Isaac did
not say, | will make myself beloved Of a
maiden; | must entertain her with fine dis
courses and offer engaging presents; | must
necessarily praise her beauty; l must only
co BY night 10 see her; when a thing is
known to a third persoa it never succeeds /;
not at all-neiiher he nor his father knew
Rebscca. But when Daban. her brother,
asked her If she would 20 with the man, she
answered, Il will go.' We see that leve was
moi consulted in this case-ihis marriage
was rather a bargain betwe cen Abraham and
Rebecca. Nor was il customary for the
affections to rule, there being ofteniimes no
consultation between the parties. 1t was
usual for women 10 be courted by ploxy.
Thus Sechem. though strongly moved to
love Dinah, did not disclose it in the bosom
Of his beloved, but made advantageous offers
TO her brothers, As me ever so much dow
ry. and ] will give according as you will say
unto mo.'-Jacob, however, made innovation
upon this custom and visited Rachel him
sell, no drew near and kissed her and lifted
up bis voice and wept. Jacob made another
advance upon the times. We have said that
lore had but little to do with their marriages ;
wives were regarded as 4 species Of slaves,
and not al all as companions ; hence. filthy
lucre' was the charm which ruled the mar
rluge ties Affection AID sentiment gave place
10 gold and goods. But Jacob was a senti-
mental lover. and when he found he had no,
the treasure equal to the price set upon her.
he condescended TO purchase her by servi-
tude, and manifested disappointment when
the iender-eyed Leah was failhIessly i'm
posed upon him instead Of the beautiful Ra-
chel.
1t has been a custom in all times for the
declaration Of love to fall upon the man.
whether this is proper or not, long usage
mas gwen II an authority MOTTO be easily over
come out there have been exceptions to
this rule.
an lsraciitish widow had by Ian the power
OIL claiming IN marriage the brother Of the
deceased hnsband-and he in turn had the
hnerty 10 retuse-under the condition, how
ever tnat the woman would come to him in
the preeence Of the elders, and loose the shoe
from bis foot and spit in his face.
A similar custom exists among the Hurons
and Iroquois. When a wife dies. the bus
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
obliged to marry a brother Of her deceased
husband. The same thing is practised in the
Carolina Islands.
IN the lsthmus ofDarieu the RICH, Of ask
ing IN marriage is lodged ir and promiscu-
ously exercised by both sexes, without the
least hesitation or embarrassment; and in
the Ukrian the same thing is carried farther,
the women more generally counting than the
men. When a young woman falls in love
with a young man. she goes TO his fathers
house and reveals her passion in a most ten
der and pathetic manner, and promising mos,
submissive obedience. Should he make ex-
cusc. she resolves to persevere, and take up
iodeiugs should he continue obstiuate, the