The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1850-05-16
Marriage.
The following from the pen of Major
Noah, is in his best vein:

a practice prevails III the puDllca-
tion of marriages to announce that
Miss. A. married Mr.. B. it may be a
species of gallantry to name the lady
first, but it is entirely out of place
She does not marry the man-the man
marries her. The woman only consents
that he shall take her; and in conse-
Quence of this willingness on her part
to take upon herself all the cares of
welded life, the husband is required 10
cherish and protect her The wife
agrees to love, honor and obey, which
are only promises contingent on the
good conduct of the husband. The
Scripture mentions that "he took unto
himself wife !" but we hear nothing
said about her taking TO herself IA hus-
band. When Jacob set out on his
travels in search of wife, he found
Rachel at the well, drawing water for
the family. He stood on no ceremony.
He did not wait for the usual salutations
of the day, or formal introduction, but
forthwith kissed her, "and lifted up his
eyes and wept" The joy that over
whelmed aim, in finding such pretty
domestic girl in the wilderness, gushed
forth in torrent of tears. All the
while Rachel was passive. She did
not kiss Jacob, nor did she coolly resent
the liberty he had taken. Here we
have the negative consent-the SUBJ
mission of the female, and the success
full advances of the gentleman.
We should not, therefore, say in our
journals that the lady married the
gentleman. She puts a ring on his
finger to bind the obligation. She does
not present her husband with a gold
watch and chain. diamond breast-pin,
pair of white kids, a Spanish cloak, or
an upper Benjamin. Ophelia says, in
reference TO bridal presents
"Rich gifts wax poor, when givers prove unkind."
In the oriental countries the parents
make up the matches for parties.-
Making love, making engagements,
ouarreling and making itup: dining to-
sether, going TO church, getting mar
ned. and starting up the North River
in steamboat to pass the honeymoon
OH the Catskills, were unknown III an
cient times.
When we lived among the Turks,
dapper little fellow, son of our broker,
called one morning upon us, with
message which he delivered in good
substantial Hebrew:
MY lord.and father makes his sub
missive obedience TO your lorlship,
whom God protect, desires TO know if
he shall have the honor to kiss your
hand at the wedding to-day !"
What wedding, Muchacha m
Mine, sir"
"Yours. Why you little villain,
how old are you?"
He raised his hand thrice. being su-
pers,itious about repeating numbers.
.Fitteenl And how old is your wife,
that is to be ~
He counted eleven on his fingers.
why, Chica, what can you possibly
do with wife. Is she prettya
"Don't know, excellenza. l never
saw her"
Here's vile country for you! Boys
and girls who should be in school, learn
ing their lessons, getting married with
out having seen each other-without
love. sentiment, vows or protestations.
.'Did YOU make her any presents !"
"Oh. yes, sir. The presents went
last night. We had a camel load, your
lordship-a band of music, trunk full
Of fine silk dresses, embroidered slip
pers. gold earrings, two silver walters.
plenty of oil and sweet cakes, and a
dish of kuskisue."
Shall we 90 to this oriental wedding :
thought we. Yes. we will go, If it's
only 10 see the bride and groom.
Ii was noon. We ordered the mules
to be attached to the chaise, and rode
to the comfortable mansion of Signor
Solomon Benbanon. The long sale was
thronged with men wearing blue tur-
bans and heavy black boards. The
little bridegroom. with pair of wide
cotton trousers, an embroidered jacket.
and crimson velvet skull-cap, was
seated on an ottoman, gazing attentively
around, as if he was not a party TO. the
ceremony about TO take place.
After prayers, a canopy was produced,
under which the little fellow was
placed curtain in front of an alcove
was Withdrawn, and little bride: who
had white lace veil thrown over her
head, no stockings on her feet, with
heavy anklets Of cinctures of gold,
and her tiny feet encased in red
morocco slippers, embroidered with
gold. The bride stood opposite the
groom. He eyed her closely, and she
peeped at him through her veil. He
tried to look grave, but ever and anon
would twitter and laugh. When they
gave him the ring to put on her finger,
he put it on his own, rubbed it looked
pleased with it, as if unwilling to give
it to her. After the ceremony, they
were both seated on an ottoman, and
received the congratulation of all pre-
sent. Paurre Clio they looked like
children ready for any sport-blind-
mans buff, or hunt the slipper-any-
thing in short, but being married. Such
are the oriental customs.
Now the puzzle for editors would be
in this case-did the boy marry the
girl or the girl marry him.
Neither we should saw. The mar