Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-09-21
The Market for selling young Wo.
men in Hungary.

men In Hungary.
Every year at the feast of st. Peter,
which comes on in the latter days of June,
the peasantry of this district (Bihar) meet
together at a certain place for the purpose
of a general fair This fair has very Pc
culiar interests for the young men and the
young madens, for it is there that, while
purchasing household utensils and family
necessaries, they choose for themselves
partners, and conclude marriages. The
parents bring there their grown up daugh-
tiers, with each one her little dover accom-
panying her, loaded up in small cart
Tins dover is, of course, proportionatc to
the lowly condition of these mountaineers
some sheep, sometimes few hogs or
even chickens. These girls are attired in
their best, or what pieces u gold or silver
coin they may possess, z strung upon a
string and neatly attached to the braids OF
their hair.
Thus fitted out, every girl who desires to
find a husband betakes herself to the fair.
She quits the house of her father, perhaps
forever, and bids her mother adieu, quite
ignorant of what roof is to shelter her or
what fate awaits her at the journeys end.
AS to her fortune, it is in the little cart that
attends her. The object Of her journey is
never mistaken, nobody wonders at it, nor
is there occasion for public officer to make
record of the deed On the other hand,
the youths who wish to procure themselves
wives, hasten to the fair arrayed in the very
best skin garments their chest continued
These savage-looking chaps, who would he
quite enough to make our young ladies' run
and hide themselves, proceed, with GOOD
deal of personal interest and zest, to inspect
the fair mountain lasses that are brought
thither by their fathers and their uncles,
casting many side chances and wistful looks
towards the captivating merchandise. He
gives his fancy free rein, and when he finds
one that seems to claim his preference, he
at once addresses the parents asks what
they have given her, and asks what price
they have set upon the "lo," so exposed for
sale-at the same time stating his own prop
erty and standing. If the parents ask too
much, these gallant boys" make their own
offer, which, if it does not suit the other to
agree to- the fond lover passes on to seek
for some one else.
We may suppose that the prutln! young
correspondence OF loveliness upon the one
hand and the size of the dover upon the
other. AT last he finds one for whom he is
willing to give the price, and loud clap
ping of the hands together announces to
the bystanders that the bargain is complete
What terrible blow this must be for some
lady rival who has not decided quick enough
who is hating and considering whether
she WILL suit him, and whether she is as
lovely and aooomplis hed--in ho"HohoId
matters as some of the others However,
the deed is done and the bargain is compile
ted, aud forthwith the young girl (poor
thing y proceeds also to clasp the hand of
her future husband. What a moment of
interest and anxiety to her The destiny
of her life was sealed by this rude clasp of
the hand. In this act she as much as said
Yes, | will be yours for life and consent
to partake of your Joys and your troubles,
to follow you through veal aud through
woe ="
The families Of the " betrothed" pair then
surround them, offering their congratula-
tions, aud at once, without delay, the Priest
who is upon the ground for the occasion,
pronounces the nuptial benedicton. Then
comes the moment Of separation The
young woman presses the parting hand OF
that family who has reared her, but of which
she is no longer part-mounts the cart OF
her new husband, whom but few hours be-
fore she never so much as knew, and escort
ed by her dover, is conducted to the house
thenceiorward to be her home
The Hungarian Government has long
tried, but in vain, to suppress these fairs for
young girls Positive orders have been
given, that they should no longer take place
but such is the force of long established
custom, united to the necessities Of this pas
toral race, that all such orders have been
disregarded. The fair still continues, and
every year such cavalcades as we have de-
scrlbed may be seen descending into the
plains of Kalinasa, there 10 barter off these
precious jewels of the household tree AS
though they were senseless bcevcs or mere
produce of the soil.