Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1852-01-13
A Chinese Wedding,

II III, SuppOllOu ny dGtCHVdu1c, ouu HCu
/ through tedious gestures, and genu
Elections before the idol, withou
raising her eyes from the ground, o.
speaking, Her robe was both gor
geous and graceful, covering her il
loose folds SO completely, that neitheI
her feet Or hands could be seen. Be.
sides the numerous ornaments anG
jewels which bound up her proflst
hair, she wore several heavy neckla-
ces of sparkling Jewels, apparently
artificial. When she had finished,
an elder placed ON her head thick
veil and shereturned toherapartment,
We now waited for the bridegroom,
who @tarried7 a little, and the inter
val was enlivened by tea, sweetmeats,
betel-nut, &C.. Three bands of mu-
sic, European, Malay and Javanese,
sent sounds of gladness through the
halls and corridors; the friends passed
about with smiles and greetings, the
children in their gay apparel danced
joyously; they knew not why-all
was natural and pleasing, but the
slow and exit ravagant movements of
a JaVanese dancing girl, who, in the
porch, gained her pay little regarded.
At length it was heralded, "the
bridegroom eometh," and immedi-
ately many went forth to meet him.
He came with friends and priest, pre-
ceded by another band Of music.
His deyotions before the JOS were
much soon er and more slightly done
than those Of the lady; and he sat
down with the priest and a friend
or two in front of the altar, where
had been placed chairs, covered for
the occasion with loose drapery of
embroidered velvet. Refreshments
were handed, till movement from
within announced the approach of the
bride; all eyes wereturned to meeth her.
She advanced very slowly to the
centre, yelled as when she retired,
and after few gestures by each to-
ward the other, the happy pair sat
down together, her face still invisi-
ble- Refreshments again entered,
and each partook, but with evident
agitation and eonstraint. Presently
she retired to her chamber, followed
by the bridegroom; and most of the
guests dispersed, but we were per-
mitted, with ome particular friends,
to enter with them. 1t was doubt
less a handsome room in Chinese es-
timation, bat. it's decorations would
scarcely please western eye. The
5edstead resembled a latticed arbor;
and from the roof within was sus-
pended beautiful lamp of chased |
silver, burning with a feeble light.
in the middle of the room,
they renewed their bowing, and pass
ng from side to side, with a gravity
md tediousness almost ludicrous, till |
ne finished the ceremony by ap-
preaching and lifting the veil from !
ler head. We were told that till
hen he had never seen her! She
and sat without raising her
,yes-behold the romance of the
.hing-she was ezquisitely beautiful.
4 repast followed, shared by them
elves alone, and probably forming
he rarifying feature Of the solemni-
y, as in Burmah. Fifty dishes or
more were before them, few of
which they tasted with silver forks;
,ut, of course the occasion was too
therial to be substantiated by VERT
bic eating and drinking. When
hey rose from the table, the bride
room, aided by his servants, re-
moved his outer robe, which had {
cen worn as dress of ceremony,
nd threw it on the bed, as If mark
lg it for his own. Then advauoing {
espectfully to the bride, her attend {
Mt raised the fold of her dress, and !
e unclasped the cincture Of the gar I
lent beneath. a
This act, so gentle, delicate, and
gnificant, closed the ceremonial. He
len returned to his own house till
vening, and every guest retTed-a ,
apital system, allowing the bride
'me repose, after the trying and !
resome eeremonies IS she had per- 4
'rmed. This.was about four clock. =
n the evening, sumptuous enter
linment was given to the friends oil
9th parties, after which the bride Il
room remained nc q son at homo g