New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-02-28
LETTERS OF AN EXILE, No. *.
AruRHIsH WEDDING.

-, -.aa;ro and have found the ceremony
800. enough to be related to you. nave re-
-.,lsd that the rites Of the Mohammedan re-
,;r;on are little known by the Europeans, and
Sonr think the Americans better acquainted
With them than we are. Except the aoiuslon'
five times day, which constitute the prin-
cinal part OF a Mussulman's liturgy, we nell
<her know nor condescend to inquire no"
the Crescent ministers behave themselves
at the important period OF the birth 'he "o1
ding. and the death Of their followers
IN well to ask if nothing in their nteS mas '"s
v,o., distant analogy with ours, II the my'"' y,
.,.;.,. Asiatic religions are not to De traced
-, =, az least if the ritual part OF she MO-
I..Jsn religion 10 40 fantastic, caprlclous,
-nsd;.b nuerile. void of sense and of morality as
IL moral part.
since nv arrival in this country have tried to
Gather some notions about the subject, but have
me. many difficulties. The ignorance of the
many, the suspicious of some, and the natural
taciturnity of the rest, have, till now, put stop
20 the conversations endeavored to establish
upon these matters. But my eyes have seen
more than my ears have heard, and do mt des-
spair Of getting some curious information about
the ceremonies of the Mussulmans' church.
To come at once to the wedding; it was to
take place between the son OF neighbor OF
mine and young lady of the next town. She
had, they said, objected very much to marrying
with couRtryman, leaving the town and its CIV
lization and burying herself in this solitary val
lev but on hearing that the Franks village
vas close to her betrothed's property, she had
GLADLY consented, which was very fattering for
ns Thanks to my double quality Of neighbor
and of creditor of the family, was invited TO
assist at the ceremony, and declared my inten-
tion TO remain to the last moment and see all
that was to be seen.
The father, the sister, and some friends of
both sexes of the bridegroom's family were gone
the day before to town to fetch the young girl
twelve wears od) and to escort her to her new
abode. Strolling leisurely about my garden in
fhe morning Of the eventful day, discovered the
bridegroom dressed in his everyday garments
and looking very doleful. | thought some mis-
fortune had occurred to break off the match,
and, calling Hassan, | asked him what allied
him. "Nothing," answered the lad, opening
widely his large mouth with an intended smile,
and winking at me with a knowing look;
nothing-but am going to get married, and
you know" Again the winking and the
smile but understood nothing. Happily, the
mother jsined US, and, understanding my ques-
ton, she informed me it was the custom in such
like circumstances for the bridegroom 20 keep
himself afar from the whole company, and, if
net by chance by some one, to look as serious,
~ sulky, and as shabby as possible. One laugh
from him would be reckoned the greatest i'm
20 propriety in the world-Quite shocking and
what is still worse, perhaps, would lead to the
most distressing consequences, as falling under
the power of the Evil Eye, being charmed, or
such things. During the explanation, | saw the
boy made great exertions not to burst out in
hearty laugh, and fearing to call upon his head
all snvts NJ nnisoha~"o. h""s;i,- --.---.-' g.
Using to come back as soon as the bride made
her appearance.
Late in the afternoon, some vOlleys Of mus
kerry announced the expected arrival. sta
tened myself upon the narrow foot-path that,
passing before my house, leads to my neighbor's,
and before long saw the approaching procession.
They were all mounted on horseback First,
the bridegrooms father appeared in his most
splendid attire, followed by two ragged boys on
foot who figured as pages. Then the male
friends; then the sister of the bridegroom,
young woman recently married, well-looking and
rather intelligent; then something which could
not name at first sight, but which | subsequent
" guessed-by its situation in the cortege and for
the powerful reason that il could Mt be anything
else--to be the bride herself. What was visible
of her was a counterpart, carefully wrapping up
sort of huge ball, as we are used TO see great
many piled up upon the deck OF a merchant ship.
The female friends followed then the music
and dancers OF the next village; then some men
armed with old muskets and carabines, repre-
sentins the National Guard and lastly of all,
the spectators, men and children, running, laugh.
ing and shouting quite as civilized people.
l, too, followed the cayalcade, and arrived at
the bridal house Just in time to see the young
woman's reception AS she stopped her horse,
Il rather suppose the horse stopped himself, but
never mind,) little boy of two years old was
handed to her. She took hold of him. seated
him before her upon the saddle, and taking out
from the recesses of the counterpane an apple,
gave il to the urchin, who. having completed his
part, was carried away, 1t was now the turn Of
che counterpaned lady to dismount, and thought
the feat rather remarkable one; but she man
agedi it pretty well, and reached the ground with
out having greatly disturbed the symmetry of the
countsrpanes folds. Her future mothsr-in-law,
with some more female friends aud connections,
were standing at the door ready to welcome her,
and as soon as she advanced young boy dis
played carpet before her. Upon this carpet
she knelt at her mo,her-in-law's feet, and re-
NAMED one moment in PROSTATE attitude,
rs if kissing the threshold Of her new home, and
acknowledging her flial duty toward her new
mother. | had cone with no feelings of CON-