Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-06-08
market for Women in Hungary.

comes on in the latter days OF June, tne peasant
ry of this district (Bihar meet together at Ger
tain place, for the purpose of general fair. This
fair has very peculiar interest tor the young
men and the Young maidens for it is there that,
whilst purchasing household utensils, and family
necessaries, they choose for themselves partners,
and conclude marriages. The parents bring
their manageable daughters, with each one her
little dover accompanying her, loaded up lii
small cart. This dover is, OF course, propor-
tionate to the Iowly condition of these noun
taineers, some sheep, sometimes a few hogs, or
even chickens. These girls are attired IN tnelr
best, or, what pieces of gold OF silver they may
possess, are strung upon string and neatly at
tached to the braids of their hair.
Thus fitted out, every girl who desires to lind
husband betakes herself to the fair. She quits
the house of her father perhaps for ever and bids
her mother adieu, quite ignorant of what roof IS
to shelter or what. fate awaits her journeys end
AS to her fortune it is in the little cart that at
tends her. The object Of her journey is never
mistaken, nobody wonders at it, nor is there oc-
cssion for public officer to make 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 garments their
chests contain. 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 to inspect the far
mountain lasses that are brought thither by their
fathers and their uncles, casting many side CLAN
ces and wistful looks toward the captivating
merchandise
He gives his fancy free rein, and when ne
finds one that seems to claim his preference, 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 statinghis own property and standing;
If the parents ask too much, these gallant boys.
make their own offer, which, if it does not suit
the other to agree to- the fond lover passes to
seek some one else.
We may suppose that the proud young men
always keep "top-eye" open to the correspon-
dence of loveness upon one hand, and the size
of the dover upon the other. At last he finds
one for whom he is willing to give the price, and
loud clapping ofthe hands together, announces
to the bystanders that the bargain is complete.
What heavy blow this must be for some
law rival who has not decided quick enough,
who is hating ard considering whether she wall
suit him, and whether she is as lovely and ac-
complshed in household matters as some of the
Others However, the deed is done and the bar,
gain is completed, and forthwith the young girl
(poor thing) proceeds also to clasp the hand OF
her future husband What moment of IL ter
est and anxiety to her The destiny of her life
is sealed bv this rude clasp of the hand. In this
act she as much as said ayes, will be yours for
life, and l consent to partake of your joys and
your troubles, to follow you through veal and
through woe"
The families of the betrothed pair then sur
round them, offering their congratulations and
at once without delay, the priest who is on the
ground for the occasion pronounces the nuptial
benediction The young woman presses the
parting hand of that family who have reared her,
but of which she is no longer part-mounts
the cart of her new husband, whom but few
hours before she never 80 much as knew, and
escorted by her dover, is conducted to the house
henceforward to be her home. The Hungarian
6 Government have long tried, but in vain. to
suppress these fairs tor young girls. PosltNe
orders have been given that theyssheuld no Ion
ger take place. but such is the force OF 1ohsg es-
tablished CUSTOM united to the necessities OF this
pastoral race, that all such orders have been dis
regarded. The fair still continues, and every
wear such cavalcales as we have described may
be seen descending into the plains OF kallnasa,
there to barter off these precious jewels OF the
household, as though they were senseless beeves
or mere produce Of the soiL-Congregat'onal'sf'
Il