Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-09-16
miscellaneous.
COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE CUSTOMS
OF VARIOUS couxTRIH.s.


In Denmark marriage is only regarded as a
mere civil contract among the privileged or
ders; among tie lower ranks, a priest is ne.
ccssary to render the marriage binding.
In Brittany, very peculiar customs pre-
vailed. In the bisbopric Of Leon. gallant
approaches a young girl without Offering u
word to her, he salutes her by taking off his
hat, and then laying hold Of the string or band
Of her apron begins to twirl aud roll it be-
tween bis fingers. Ii the young woman in
tcrrupts him and draws the string away, it is
all uufavorable sign, and he may try his for
tune elsewhere but it. on the contrary, she
permits BIN to roll it to the end, he may
reckon himself tolerably sure of favor
In Cornouaille, the tailor is the important
parsonage to whom the candidate for lnatri-
mony applies for list Of eligible girls =
Having selected one, the tailor at once pro
ceeds to the moideus father, carrying wand
of broom, (Which gives him the title of Baz-
valan, the name Of the plant.) He is dressed
for the occasion in official stockings, one Of
which is of violet color aud the other red.
and with him is the sutton and his nearest
relatives Whilst the family chef are ma
king their arrangements. the lovers retire to
the other end of the house, and discourse
| their own ''sweet music. 1t is necessary
that the engaged pair should put an end
themselves to the term Of the negotiation -
They approach, holding each other by the
hand, to the table. where their mutual parents
or relatives are seated, when bread wine and
brandy are brought in The young man and
maiden eat with the same knife. and drink
out of the same cup and the day for union is
then fixed upon. The bride make her choice Of
a bridesmaid, aud the gallant selects bis
groom s-man; then accompanied by the tai,
lor with bis white wand. they all together
proceed to invite their relatives 10 the we'd
ding The ceremony takes place nearly al,
ways on tuesday. In the house of the bride
Immediately the bridegroom enters the house
the Brot@r, on the part of the brides family
goes on his knees, and says a pater for tho
living, aad de profundis for the dead =
Then he asks for the young maiden the bles
sings of the family. Alirth and laughter is
frequently interrupted by tears and sobs du-
ring this singular ritual. In some places il
it customary for the neither to cut with tht
scissors the end Of the brides sash
After the wedding ceremony, comes the
feast At the end of each course the music
strikes up, and the company distribute them.
selves to many amusemeuts, as wrestling
dancing running, &e., as they tire running u
the festive board Midnight announces t.
the guests that it is time for retiring The
groomsman and bridesmvid, are the onl,
strangers who remain Of all who attended tb,
wedding feast These two are bound to pu
the bride and bridegroom with due solemnit,
to bed, and then retire singing the Psalm
"Veni Creator. In some places they ar,
often compelled to watch during the entir,
night in the chamber of the newly -mar,iet
couple. In other districts they hold at thu
foot Of the nsptial bed Lighted candle he
tween the fingers, and do not withdraw til
the fame reaches the palm of the hand, o
until the servants bring certain famous
milk soup, in which crumbs of bread silly at
tached together by thread. Elsewhere tn
eroomsman is bound during the whole of tn
night to throw nuts at the husband, VIII
cracks, and gives the Kernels to bis bride.
In some parishes in the Southern districts
as soon as the Bazvalan presents himself at
house, and stand on the threshold Of the door
saluting those within, should it happen tina