Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1850-09-26
A Marrige i'm ST. Petersberg.


In England we used 10 think the marrioe
ceremony, with all lis solemn adjuncrs, an i'm.
Pressive affair; but it is chIds play when com.
pared with the elatora,e formaliles Of Rus
sian wedding. In England, the bride, though
principal, is passive object but in Russia
she has, before and at the ceremony, 10 under
go as much physical fatigue and exeItion as a
prlma donna who has 10 tear through violen,
opera, making every demonstration of the most
passionate grief. But you shall hear how they
manage on these occasions.
The house keeper of Mons A., who has been
in his service for eighteen years, and conse-
qpenIy o,youlhful bride, took il into her head
10 marry shoemaker, who, like his intended,
Is not remarkable for his personal beaury.-
Friday was fixed for he happy day, and about
t"o O'Clock In the afternoon, caught sight of
The bride, weeping and walng in most dole
ul manner. heard nor saw no more Of her
I'LL 6 in the evening, when she appeared in
Mad. AS room, attired for the ceremony. Her
dress was of dark silk, (she not being allowed
10 wear white, IN consequence Of some early
Indscretons,) with wreath Of white rose "a
round her head, and long white veil. which
almost enrelOPed her. She sobbed, howled,
went off into Mysteries, and tainted | felt ex-
cessively sorry for her, but did all my sooh hing
in vain, for she refused 10 be comfored. As
soon she became calm, we all assembled in
The drawing room, and Mons. As godson,
little fellow FIVE years old, entered the room
first, bearing the patron saint, SI.Nicholas, then
came The bride, followed by her Irain of female
friends. She knel. down before Mons. and
Mad. A, and they each IN turn held The image
over head, saying they blessed her, and hoped
she would "go TO her. happiness" She kissed
their feet (ranicaIy and they assisted her
up, and she was conducted weeping 10 the car
rIge.
On arriving a, The church, about half past Z,
we were met by The friends of The bridegroom,
who stood al one end Of the church, surrounded
by his family, and every now and then casting
anxious looks al The beloved one, who was sob
bing and howlug like mad woman. thought
how painful il must be for him, poor man, 10
witness such distress, and wondered why she
should marry any one for whom she manfes-
sed such dislike. After administering restOra-
,ives, she bacame calmer and the priest ap-
pear afed-when off she went again into hysler-
les more sudden, though not so violent as her
pre'ious performances but this time, was soon
restored, and The ceremony commenced
One priest srood al The altar, and two others
kind of table or reading desk at some dis
lance. The happy couple were placed beside
each oher, behind The priests, who commenced
chanting the service in beautiful style. The
bride and The bridegroom held each a lighted
wax taper in their hand a llule more chant
ing, and then a small piece of carpet was
brought, upon which they both stood; two
crowns were then presented 10 them, these
were held over their heads by the brldesmen.
More chanting then there was wine brought,
while they were obliged 10 drink, first he and
then she they made three sUps Of IL, though
al first there appeared only about wine lass
(uI after this the priest took hold OF Them and
aked them round The room three times, The
hrIdegroom's man following and holding the
crowns over their heads TO The best OF his abl
lry; but he fell shor, Of his duty, for the BRIDE
groom was rather tall and his man rather short;
hence here was much difficulty and slight awk-
wadness in his part of the proceedings then
followed kind OF exhor'alion, delivered in
very impressive manner by the senior priest
Afer this they proceeded TO the altar, p'oslra-
ed themselves before it, kissed the groHnd with
great apparent fervor then all the saints were
kissed, and lastly the whole party assembled
We then adjourned 10 the carriages, and alter
Quick ride soon found ourselves at home.
Here Monster aud Madame A. performed the
part Of Pere et Mere, met the dIidal party car
rying the black bread and salt which is always
given on such occasions. This was, with
some words-a blessing Of cOurse-waved o.
YER the heads of the newly married couple, who
were on their knees kissing most vehemenlly
The feet of their Pere Ell Mere. After Ihls cere-
mny, which means, "May you never want The
good here offered YOU they arose and again
the kissing mania came upon the whole parry
with greater vehemence than ever. Nothing
was heard fDr some time but he sound oil ups:
at length calm came, and with il champagne.
in which every one of hem drank Long
life and happiness TO the newly wed pair" all
striking their glasses ill thought there would
be universal smash, so violently were they
carried away by their enthusiasm then came
chocolate. aud lastly fruit.
As soon as the Teasing was over, he dancing
commenced with a PoIonaise the steward
and great man in the house. leading on 'he
bride no by this time had forgotten all her
sorrows. About twenty couple followed, and
away they went Though one room, out al an
o,her. unt,II they had made the whole circuit
of The apartments
We left len at half past eleven, but they
kent up he fun I'LL five in The morning. when
they conducted The happy pair to their dwell
ling.
Upon my expressing pity for the bride, and
h. k.,e Il Cd nm