Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-06-05

SHANGHAI, CHINA, Feb. Is,

snort time since was present at the mar
riage Of Chinese couple, and as l was much in
terested in the proceedings an that occasion,
thought brief account of them might be agree
able, and afford you some entertainment, particu-
larry should you be as eager as most young ladies
are, to hear and see everything connected with
30 important ceremony.
To premise, must tell you that the BRIDE
groom is graduate Of the Episcopal missionary
school here, and that, in addition to conforming
to the peculiar customs of his own country, he
had desired to be married in the Christian fashion
In consideration Of this, the bishop had duly ex-
pounded and interpreted to the bridegroom the
nature of our holy office Of matrimony. Both
parties were made fully sensible of its divine in
functions, and appeared to be perfectly satisfied
with the obligations it mutually imposes The
bride was especially pleased to learn that by the
Christian faith, her husband was not permitted
to take more than one wife. She highly approved
of the restriction that prevents men possessing
as many wives as their means will support, as is
usual in China, and expressed great delight at
the prospect of having no rival to contend with.
The novelty of the wedding, for this is the first
couple, the bishop tells me, that he has ever
joined together, attracted to the Episcopal chapel
a large number Of both natives and foreigners
! had not waited long before the nuptal process
sion arrived 1t was headed by band of pecu-
liar wind and stringed instruments, that dis
coursed anything but music to an American ear;
after which came the sedans and boxes contain
ing the marriage feast, all of them painted red,
and their bearers wearing red jackets In this
train of luxuries, ! counted no less than dozen
hogs roasted whole, and glazed and garnished in
the most fantastic manner. A goat that had also
been roasted, and was so contrived that its head
was constantly nodding, made very whimsical
appearance. These were succeeded by members
Of the family, before whom walked the BRIDE
groom, little man elegantly dressed, who strut
ted alone, evidently pulled up with vast idea
of his own Importance. Then followed an old
man bearing large umbrella, to hold over the
bride when she enters and leaves her sedan; be-
hind him came boys prettily dressed, carrying
lnnters and banners; then the trays on which
were seen the brides trousseau, consisting of
silks, jewelry, &C.; and lastly close red sedan
chair, beautifully gilded and embroidered con-
tanning the bride herself On ordinary occasions
she is locked in the chair by her mother or some
other relation, and the key is given to the BRIDE
groom after reaching his house, where he opens
the door, assists his wife out and sees her per-
haps for the first time in his life. On account of
the seclusion in which young ladies are kept they
know very few persons besides their own rela-
tons. They pay visits only to their relations,
and are then carried in close sedans. Besides
the fashion of cramping the feet that makes it
difficult for them to walk out, custom confines
them to the house, and prevents them extending
their acquaintance. They know nothing what
ever of the sweet delights of courtship and are
often entirely unacquainted with the character
and appearance of their intended husbands. Be-
trothment takes place in childhood, and is
ranged by match-makers Of either SEX whose
profession it is to conduct nuptal negotiations. !.
But to return to the wedding. The bride soon
appeared at the chancel, in company with the
groom, and two matronly ladies hired for the oc-
casionf to comfort and assist her. She wore a
scarlet Grape dress, of the Chinese fashion;
veil of the same material, hanging from her fore
head led her otrree. very nretty. am
broidered shoes covered her little feet, scarcely
four inches in length, and her hair was elabo-
rately dressed and decked with ornaments. The
bishop, knowing we were all curious TO see
Chinese beauty, very considerably raised her
veil, and placed it on top of her head. The ex-
posure did not meet my ideas of loveliness, but
her simplicity and modest department in this try
ing position, and the deep interest she seemed to
take in the whole ceremony. invested her with
a charm so engaging that could not help feeling
concerned for her welfare, and hoping all her ex-
pectations of happiness might be realized. The
service that was performed in the Chinese Ian
guage was solemn and imposing, and thought
impressed them with proper sense of the i'm
portance of the contract they were entering into.
As soon as the knot was tied, the veil was drawn
over the brides face, she was conducted to her
chair, and carried in procession to the BRIDE
groom's house. Here she was received by her
husband, who handed her out, and followed her
into room, where, with becoming gravity, he
took off the red veil; after which they pledged
each other in wine, thescups being joined by a
thread, as an emblem of constancy. This most
important part of the Chinese ceremonial was
ended by the pair worshipping their ancestral
tablets and saluting all the members of the
family. The band then struck up, and the as
sembled guests sat down to the feast, the men in
one apartment, the women in another. had in
tended to witness this curious banquet, but the
unsavory odor of their culinary compounds so
discomposad the economy of my stomach, that
was seized with uneasy qualms, and was upon
the point of exhibiting my indispostion in public,
when, under pretence of visiting a very sick pa
tent, ktook hasty departure, leaving the com
pany plying the bridegroom with liquor, and in a
high state Of convvalty.