Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1851-10-14
COurtship and Marriage Customs
Of Various Countries.
Concluded

81
When the Persians make love
they make many stratagems to con
vince their lnistresses that they arr
faithful. In the ardor Of their afec
tions, they burn themselves on some
Ipart of thei II bodies, by setting fire
to their cloth hes, and take care thai
the scorchihg be on a part that is
visible, and In this tate they present
themselves to the object of their af
fections. II they accept them, the
ladies are always areful to furnish
these ardent lovers with fllets and
scarf3 of silk to bind up tn E wounds
which they have received in the wars
of the Good of Love-" and they are
most esteemed who put themselves
to the greatest pain
The Persians marry many wives,
which they may part with. The no
bility have as many as they please,
but the co ommonality exceed not
seven. Whe en- the day is appointe
for the marriage of d great man, the
relations and friends meet at his
house, dressed in his livery. If they
are not particular. friends, they dress
as they please, and always as fine as
they can. When it's bedtime, two
men conduct the bridegroom to the
brides chamber, she entering by an
other door. The company, in the
meantime, continue dancing. Shd duld
the man be not satisfied with his
bride, he often rejects her in the
presence of the company, after he
has given her "a SUN Of money, and
her relations Instantly depart With
her.
In tho province Of Leon, in Spain,
many persons would be frightened
at the improyidence with which the
peasants contract their pnions.-
Many who leave service to be mar
ried have not even q bed to lay their
heads upon the first night, and often
borrow bed for single day.
In the Basque Provinces, (Guip-
luzcp pa, Viscaya, and Ala9aD they
gree the bride as she is going to
and coming from the church, by
FIRM s guns and pistols, and she is
oftd N induced to fire them herself,
Tic wife assists her husband in the
cultivation of the ground.
In Shoa, Abyssinia, a girl is reck-
Ioned according to the value of her
property; and if she is heIress to a
field, cbw, or a bedstead, is certain to
add husband to her list before many
summers have passed over her head.
The parties declare before witnesses,
"upon the life of tie king" that
they intend to live happily together;
and the property Of both being pro-
duced, is carefully appraised. A
mule, or an ass, a dollar, shield, and
a sheaf of spears on the one side,
are noted against the ladies stock Of
wheat, cotton, and household gear,
and tie bargain being struck, the eff
fects become joint property for a
time, until some domestic difference
arises, and either, taking d p their
own, depart to seek a new lhte.
In Switzerland, it is considered
somewhat imprude mt to marry with
out good stock of COWS, and many
wedding has brought about by
the T'Kullreihu," or cow-song. This
song is in the shape of a dialogue
between q young droyer, whose shoe
pinches him, and young maiden,
who kindly lends pair Of slippers
to ease him, Talking of slippers
leads to remark upon the pretty
feet,that had worn them, d nd, by anI
obvious train of thought, to the
praise Of other charms. The charms
produce love, love an offer of mar
riage, and marriage menti ioged, be-
comes question of COWS.
In most parts Of Sweden, the far
betrothed is married about SIX o clock
in the evening, and Immediately af
terwards she is brought tb the win
dow, in which number OF lighted
candles are placed, where she has to
blush. (if she can, and show hersclfI
tilIlevening, an immense crowd being
gathered below, having the privilege,
according to vile custom, Of demand
ing her to come forward, Should she
be absent longer time than suits
their notion Of propriety-
The king Of Scnaar buys his wives
I -. = = hon how