Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-08-12
The Charivari.

We doubt whether there is any part of the
Christianized World OF which we in the United
States really know so little of its history, man
neTs, customs, &C., as of Canada. And we
have for that reason taken some pains to look
up ard present description of curious cusom
which has long prevailed in that Province, but
which we think will be now to most Of our read
ers. Ed
1t was towards the close of the summer of
1888, which had been unusually cold and wet,
for Canada, while Noodle, was absent at D.,
inspecting portion Of his government grant
of land, that was startled one night, just be-
fore retiring to rest. by the sudde9fripg of guns
in our near vicinity, accompanied bNshouts and
yells, the braying Of horns, the Beating Of drums
and The barking Of all the dogs in Abe neigh
borhood. never heard more stunning up
roar of dlscord and hdeous sounds.
What could it all mean? The maid servant,
as much alarmed as myself, opened the door
and listened.
"The goodness defeua u.s." she exclaimed
quickly closing it, and drawing bolt seldom
used. {" We shall be murdered. The Yankees
must have taken Canada, and arc ma marching hith
er,"
Nonsense! that cannot be it. Besides, the.
would never leave the main road to attack pq6
place like this. Yet the noise is yefy ,BCar
Hark they are firing again. Bri9g me th
hammer and some nails, and let uYss6urg 81
windows" AT +
The next moment laughedf hE -sollys \
attempting to secure log hut ~ 9pPf
cation of match to its rotten ga euH eSh
sumo it in a-few minutes, yStljF Fasab e6disS IN
creased, | was really figReRe5% Ny servant
who was Irish (fQr my Scotch afr, Bell, had ia
ken herself husband, and Fad been Obliged
to hire another in her IPae kko had been OnIl
few days in the .coupfy began to cry ant
wiring her hands, AND Amfnt her hard fate il
coming to. Canada; 1astr rat this critlca' mOmen
when. We werel6otGksf couticted of an urraa
cOwardice, WHICH Would have shaned Cana
dian child Of SIX years old, Mrs. O--tappe'
at the door, and Though generally most unwel
come visitor, frbm her gossiping, mischevou
prOpensities, gladly let her in.
"Do tell me, cried, the meaning Of thl
strange uproat?'
GOh, It's nothing" she replied, laughing
"you and Mary look as white as a sheet; bu
YOU need not be alarmed. A set of wild tel
lows have met ip chArvari Old Satan, who ha
married his foytth wife to- night, young gal o
sixteen. | shy yuld not wonder if some mischie
happens among them, for they are bad sci
made up of al the-idle lOafers about Port
and C--." ~
"What is charivari ?''Baid l, "DO, pray
enlighten me-"
Have you been nine months in Canada, an'
ask that question? Why, thought you kne'
every thing! Well, will tell you what it ia
The charivari is custom that the Canadian
: got from the French, in the Lower ProVeae'
and queer custom it: is. When an old ma
mArries young wife, or an old woman yOun
husband, or two old people. who ought to b
thinking Of their graves, enter for the secOn
or third time into the holy estate Of wedIock, Q
the priest calls it, all the idle young fellows
the neighbOrhood meet together to Chariva
them. For this purpose they disguise then
selves, blackening their faces, putting the
clothes on hind part before, and wearing no
r,bIe masks, With grotssque caps on their head
adorned with cSck's feathers and bells. The
then form in regular body, and proceed to tt
bridegrootn's house, to the sound of tin kettle
horns, and drums, cracxed fddlcs, and all Il
discordant instruments they can collect tOgethe
Thus equipped, lhey surround the house whe
the wedding is held, just at the hour when tt
buppy couple al supposed to be about to r
!, tire to rcstAbsAting upon the door with cln
and slaves. and Ssmanding of the bndegrOO
Sdmittance to lAint the BRIDES health or in lii
> thereof to receive, (certain sum of money
treat the baud astRsAHsarest tavern. 7
! "If the bridegroom fSGpaes to appear and gre
their request, they comb AapSe the horrible d
, YOU hear, firing guns chafSsS with peas agar
he doors and windows; ratfApg old pots
= kettles, and abusing htpfog hiEstinginess in
:. measured tsrns. Sometimes tReS break op
the doors, and seize upon the ,brisSgrs9R [
nav esteem himself very lassAspts MI
:, under such circumstances, if hs sfcsfk bel
ridden on rail, tarred and feSsAEse az 9th
wise malrsated. | have knORA NQanN q
M