Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-04-14
A Breton Wedding.

We derive this curious description Of a
wedding in Brittany from The late volume OF
the Travellers Library Soon after came
into this country was asked TO the 'noce,
or marriage dinner, Of miller with far
~mer's daughter, and being new 10 such mnt-
ters | considered it an honor, and accepted
tie invite. Had been older, should have
known that, being interpreted it meant five
francs, neither more nor less. AT the time
fixed ] went. The wedding party had not
arrived from church, and there was only a
large crowd of the invited hanging about
But within the house was all hustle. Three
large barrels Of wine, mixed with brandy !;
huge boilers seething and Kissing forth savo-
ry steams; vast receptacles, containing, in
unknown depths. puddings and vegetables,
gave note of the coming feast. | entered and
made my obeisance 10 the parents, and drank
the health Of their children; but their man
ner became cool-came from the east, as
SAILORS say. Something was evidently
wrong; bur for the life Of me could not find
out where it lay. Perhaps Thought IL il
was the wrong house-perhaps the wrong
time; but some screw was certainly loose,
and that was all could discover. Customs
are not to be accounted for, and il may he the
fashion 10 be cold in manner, as in high
places, so j passed on. Soon after, loud
shouts, firing of pistols and a general rush
announced the arrival or the bride and BRIDE
groom. These were ushered in great state
10 The dining room, large barn, fled up
with benches. and were placed at the head
Of the table, The lady easy and composed, the
gentleman red aud awkward as usual. /
then mentioned TO an acquaintance the cool
ness had noticed. What did you give p
said he. Give = said, 4 thought was
invited TO dine here.' Quite right said he /;
but then you must pay for the dinner We
do not send a plate round-thai would be too
broad; hut we take it at the door from those
who choose to give, and those who do not
choose are turned OUT Sturdy begging this.
al least; but it cleared up the mystery. 1
had been counted fat buck, but seemed
likely 10 prove thin one-a disappointment
TOO great, 10 be borne. So under this advice
returned, ana with proper speech pro-
duced my 6ve-lranc piece. The effect was
magical all Clouds vanished at The touch
the sun broke out anew, and ] was handed
10 seat right opposite The bride. Never
before did five francs work such miracle
The guests amounted 10 three hundred and
fifty, aud but for bad weather the number
would have exceeded five hundred. Lnrge
bowls OF soup and dishes Of bouili were set
for every four persons and with long wood
en- spoon for each one. had brought n
knife andfoIk in my pocket, but not wishing
to appear singular, kept them there; and
the signal being given to fall on, grasped
my wooden spoon aud set to work. how
ever, soen found myself dislanced aud dead
beaten. Talk Of The fast feeding Of Yam
kee! Give me hungry Breton, aud III
back him against the world. Alter The meat
came great dishes Of batler-puddiDg, smok-
ing hoI; but, in spite Of heat, they followed
by the same road, and were speedily holred
batting such portions as. in the hurry, fell be-
tween the planks or into neighhor's pock-
ct. Wine, brandy and cider, off good quality,
qualified all this, and made il sit easy |; and
such was the eaeernes 70 'trinquer,' or dfink
whit stranger, pushing the glass against