The primitive Republican. (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-1852, 1852-06-10
Market for Young Women in Hungary.

0AGA4ACb 4V4 4VNAAeS WOu4Cu Ii
Every year, at the feast of st. Peter,
which comes on in the latter days of June,
the peasantry of this district (Bihar) meet
together at certain place, for the purpose
of general fair. This fair has very pc
culiar interest for the young men and the
young maidens, for it is there that, whilst
purchasing household utensils and family ne
cessaries, they choose for themselves partners
and conclude marriages. The parents bring
their manageable daughters, with each one
her little dover accompanying her, loaded up
. in a small cart. This dover, is of course,
proportionate to the lowly condition of these
mountaineers, some sheep, sometimes few
hogs, or even chickens. These girls are at
tired in their best and what peices of gold or
silver they may possess, are strung upon a
string and neatly attached to the braids of
their hair.
Thus fitted out, every girl who desires to
find a husband betakes herself to the fair
She quits the house of her father, perhaps,
forever, and bids her mother, adieu, quite
ignorant of what roof is to shelter, or what
fate awaits her journeys end. As to her for
GuLlC, IL Is III tut lIbGlG C1IJ blliG dJOEnQS uGL
The object of her journey is never mistaken;
nobody wonders at it; nor is there occasion
for public officer to make a record of the
deed On the other hand, the youths who
wish to, procure themselves wives hasten to
> the fair, arrayed in the very best skin gar
ments their chest contain, These savage
] looking chaps, who would be quite enough
= to make our young ladies run and hide them
= selves, proceed with good deal of interes
: and zest to inspect the fair mountain lasses
: that are brought thither by their fathers ant
. their uncles casting many side glances anC
:. - wistful looks towards the captivating mer
!, chandise.
: He gives his fancy free rein and whel
= he finds one that seems to claim his prefer
- ence, he at once addresses the parents, ask
what they have given her and asks VIVA
:. price they have set upon the dot so expos
- ed for sale-at the same time stating bis ow
property and standing. If the parents as
:, too mach, these gallant 'boys' make the
= own ofIer which, if it does not suit the OIL
: En- 20 agree to, the fond lover passes to see
"A som one else.
:; We may suppose that the proud youn
mon Away keep stop eye" open to the co
raspoadeuce o. loneliness upon the one ham
and the size Of tue dover upon the other
- At last he finds one for whom he is wilhr
- to give the price, and loud clapping of tt
hands together announces to the bystande
> that the bargain is completed
- What heavy blow this must be for sor
-. lazy rival who has not decided quick enou|
IT, who is haltin. and considering whether s.
- will suit him, and whether she is as love
~, and accomplished in household matters
some of the others However, the dc
an is done ana the bargain is completed, a
sa forthwith the young girl-poor thing-pl
bo+ ceeds also to clasp the hand of her futu
nm husband. What moment of interest a
" anxiety to her. The destiny of her life
30 sealed by their rude clasp Of the hand.
~ this act she as much as said, eyes, "
be yours for life, and l consent to parta
on Of your joys and your troubles, to foil
-; you through veal and through woe"
The families of the betrothed pair til
;.to surround them, offering their congratulate
md and at once without delay, the priest who
mt on the ground for the occasion, pronoun
the nuptial benediction The young won
an presses the parting hand OF that family "
+ha have reared her, but of which she is no /
lor ger part-mounts the car of her new h
nv band, whom but few hours before she n
er so much as knew, and escorted by
rbo dover is conducted to the house hencet
hall ward to be her home.
! ~, ~ The Hungarian Government have |,
nv tried, but in vain, to suppress these fairs
inc linz the young girls. Positive orders have b
given tina they should no longer take pl;
boll but sach is the force of long established {
T bo tom, united to the necessities Of this pa
he raj race, that all such orders have been
,adi. regarded. The fair still continues, and
cry year such cavalcades as we have desert
,om may be seen descending into the plains
hot Kalinasa, there to barter off these prec
,odv Jewels of the household, as though t
lavS were. senseless beeyes or mere produce Of
Shes soil. = Congregattonalist.