Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1851-07-10
A WEIGH WEDDING,

The ancient festivities connected with
marriages are still retained in the rural dis
trcts of Wales. When the day for that
ceremony has been fixed, bidding papers"
are despatched, to all friends Within possible
distances. The Squire generally hhds one
laid on his table, responds to the pccuniary
part Of the invitation The following is a
specimen Of these papers
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES, Nov 10, 1850
As We intend to enter the Matrimonial
state on Wednesday, the 4lh of December
next, we are encouraged to make a Bidding
on the occasion. the same day, at the young
woman's brothers house, at which time and
place the favor Of your very good aud agree
able company is most respectfully solicited
and whatever donations you may be plea
sed to bestow on us then, will be thankfully
received, warmly acknowledged, and cheer
fully repaid, whenever called for on a slml-
lar occasion Your most obedent servants,
DAVID pRcE,
ELizABErH JONES"
"The Young man. with ms brother aud
sister, Orchard aud Mary Price desire
that all gifts Of the above nature due to them
be returned to the young woman on the "a
bove day, and will be thankful, together with
his uncle, and his brother-in-law and sisters,
and their wives, for all additional fayors."
"The young woman, with her sislcr,( AM
ma Jones, desires that oil gifts OF the above
nature, due to them, he returned to the
young WON an on the above day, and will be
thankful together with her brother aud SIS
ter-in law, aud her uncies and aunt, for all
idyors granted"
As soon as the heroine of the day makes
her appearance IN bridal array, among the
assembled guests at her fathers house, her
friends proceed To hide her in the most un-
attalnable place possible. Should the dwell
ling not afford such accommodation, the
COW house aud stables are Invaded, or even
a neighbours domicl When hidden, notice
is given to the backgrounds chosen repre-
sentatyes, who are four or five IN number /;
they advance TO the door aud demand the
fair prize of her father. The brides cho-
sen spokesman reply to those outside All
the stock of wit possessed by either party is
exchanged, amidst general hiiafiiy, until the
claimants are admitted 10 seek the lost one.
S0tHo;ialcs She j. 90 heTe!ecsly cau-aalad,
that time creeps most alarmingly near -.
When matters assume this serious aspect,
some kind friend is found TO act as guide,
aud she is found amid universal accIama-
tons.
The brides perils are 10y no means over;
for instead Of going qniedy 10 church, where
the bridegroom has been waiting, biz dele
gates make an attack upon her appointed
body guard The poor gul sometimes gets
rough handling between the combaltauls
aud should the opposing one be victorious,
she IS carried off 10 some place of conceal
ment until she is again rescued When at
last, the lady reaches the church gate, her
belroihed comes forward, attended by two
girls, determined, apparently, to make the
most Of his last uneltered moments. He
then, having shaken hands with his father
in-law, receives and conducts his bride to
the altar.
The instant the ceremony is over and the
names registered, furious scene of racing
commcnccs-yery dangerous at horse
wedding" The fleetest courier wins the
pint of ale awarded to the bearer of the first
intelligence from the church to those at
home.
On the arrival Of the new couple, they
are seated at table, holding plate Tor the
reception of "biddiug money" and besides
them a friend with little book IN which
are entered the names of the lenders and
the amount-for the promise TO return IN
kind is taken, an pad de lit tettre. The
debt is strictly one of honor and II not paid
on The marriage of the creditor, is sure 10
be demanded. This ceremony over, the
bride rellres to change her dress, or to make
some alterations Ia IT, aud on her return, at
tends upon her guests. table Is laid out
cheese, aud butter, of which all pdridke
who please. This may seem but poor hos
pnaliiy, especially when we add that the
beer aud ale are sold 10 the guests but any
reader who knows the poverty of the Welsh
peasantry, and their simple habits. will hnd
excuse sufficient The beer is supplied by
the Young woman's father, aud the profits
form part OF her dover
Drinking is KEEP, up till late hour, and
singing and music. WEIGH vocal melodies
are rather dismal Few get beyond psalms
that are pretty enough, sci TO Ar-hyd-j mos,
SC, bat national psalmody partakes very
much of the cow-killlng tune of genera
notoriety. Dancing is often INDUCED la. -
When the bride reires TO rest, # a wary
woman, she investigates the arrangements %
her bed room, for her friends consider II
their duty TO conclude the arrangements
with practical Joke.
A melancholy catastrophy IS sald 10 nave
been the result Of one OF these pfacilca
Jokes. On the afternoon OF weddlng-day
what was supposed to have been dead Va
: ner was mt INTO the brides bed. Her hus
= hand on Joining her soon afterwards, iounC
her corpse The viper lay on her bosom
,,ith its head elevated to her mouth. SIT
| had not been stung, but had died, 1t wa
, thought, from iear.-HOusehOd Words.