Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1851-02-15
MARKET FOR SELLING YOUNG WOMEN IN
HUNGARY.

/ HUNGARY.
Every year, at the feast of St. Peter, when
comes on in The latter days Of June, the peas
aniry of the district (Bihar,) meet together a
a certain place, for the purpose of genera
fair. This fair has very peculiar interest
for the young men and the young maidens, for
II IS there that, whilst purchasing household
utensils and family necessares, they choose
lor themselves partners, and conclude mar
riages. The parent brings their marriage
able daughters, with each one her little dow
er accompanying her, loaded up in a small
carl This dover is, Of course, proporionate
TO the lowly condition of these mountaineers
some sheep, sometimes few hogs or even
chickens These girls are atired in iheit
best, or what pieces Of gold or silver they may
possess arc strung upon a string and neatly
attached 10 the braids of their hair.
Thus fitted out, every girl who desires 10
find husband betakes herself TO the fair
She quits the house OF her father perhaps
| forever, and bids her mother adieu, quite ig-
norant of what roof is to shelter her, or what
fate awaits her at her journeys end, AS TO
her fortune, it is in the little cart that attends
her. The object of her journey is never mista-
ken, nobody wonders at it nor is there occa-
| sion for public officers 10 make record ofdeed
On the other hand, the youths wish TO procure
themselves wives, hasten to the fair arrayed
in the very best skin garments their chest
contains. These savage looking chaps, who
would be quite enough to make our young
ladies run and hide themselves, proceed with
good deal of interest and zest 10 inspect the
fair mountain lasses that are brought thither
by their fathers and theirn nncles, casting many
captive merchandise. He gives his fancy
free lein, and when he finds one that seems
claim his prerefence, he at once addresses
the parents, asks what they have given her,
and asks what price they have set upon the
'lot' so exposed for sale-at the same time
stating his own property and standing. lfthe
parents ask too much, these gallant boys
make their own offer, which if it does not
suit the other 10 agree 10, the fond lover pas
ses to seek some other.
We may suppose that the proud young men
always keeps 'top-eye' open 10 the correspond
ence OF loveiness upon one head, and the
size of the dover upon the other. At last he
finds one for whom he is wailling 10 give the
price, and loud clapping of the hands TO-
frat tnar IN, h,-ata lnrs hot ha
bargain is complete. What heavy blow this
must be for some lazy rival who has not deci-
ded quick enough, who is halting and consid-
ering whether she will suit him, and whether
she is as lovely and accomplished in house
hold matters US are some of the others. How
ever, the deed is done aud The bargain is COM
pleled, and forthwith the young gir (poor
girl y proceeds also 10 clasp the hand of her
future husband. What moment of interest
aud anxiety 10 her! The destiny of her life
is sealed BY this rude clasp 0! the hand. In
this she as much as says Yes, will be yours
for life, and consent TO partake of your joys
and your troubles, 10 follow You through veal
and through woe p
The families of the betrolhed pair then
surround them, Offering their congratulations,
and al once, without delay, the prizes, who is
on the ground for The occasion, pronounces the
nup,ia beneIiclion. The young woman
pressing the parting hand of the family who
have reared her, bu, of which is she no longer
a parl- mounts the cart Of her new husband,
whom but a few hours before she never so
much as knew, and escorted by her DOVER is
conducted 10 the house thenceforwa.d TO be
her home.
The Hungarian government have long tried,
but in vain, 10 suppress these fairs for young
girls Positive orders have been given thai
they should no longer take place, but such is
the force of long established custom, united to
the necessities of this pastoral race, that all
such orders have been disregarded. The fair
still continues and every year such cavalcades
as we have described may be seen descend
ing into the plains of Kalmasa, there 10 barter
off the precious jewels OF the household tree,
as though they were senseless beeves or mere
produce of the soil.