The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-04-05
fmsisn 9ffairs.
FROM OUR CANTON CORRESPONDENT.
CANTON, CHINA, January ., 1855.
To the Editor of the National Era.


CANTON, CHINA, January 9, 1855.
To the Editor Of the National Era:
1t was my privilege, not long since, to be
present at a very interesting wedding. The
groom was a young Chinese, educated in the
boarding school of the Presbyterian Mission in
this city, and is now employed as teacher in
the same. He is professed believer in Chris
tianity, and, at his request, all idolatrous cere-
monies were dispensed with. The bride is also
pupil connected with the female school of the
same mission. A large company of English
and Americans, together with Chinese friends,
were present to witness the ceremony. They
were married by the Rev. A. p Hopper NJ
D., who used the ordinary formula of the Pres
byterian Church, translated into Chinese. 1t
was an occasion of no ordinary interest to see
young man come out from the millions of this
Empires reject the idolatrous ceremonies so
much esteemed by his countrymen, and adopt
the civilized and Christian mode of celebrating
the marriage vow. -i;t p
The family is the most important institution
in the Celestial Empire. The duties of each
member are accurately defined, and carefully
taught and impressed ON the minds of children
in all stages of their education. They are re-
quired to render respect and obedience to pa
rents during life and flial pietY is carried to
such an extreme, that the worship of departed
ancestors is an indispensable duty. Indeed,
this form of idolatry has deeper hold on the
minds of the people than any other, and every
house has its altar, where, morning and evening,
atves, and, at stated. times, offerings arc made
Of food and clothing. 1t is considered one of
the greatest calamities for a man to die with
out male offspring to worship at his tomb. The
family relation is looked upon as the type of
the relation existing between the Emperor and
his ubjects, and between all officers and those
under their authority. The Government is pa
triarchal. The maxims which apply to one are
alike suitable to the other and an officers rep
utation depends on the faithfulness with which
he discharges the duties of father to those
who are placed under him as children.
people who place so much value on the
family relation, will be likely to give that dis
tinction to the marriage ceremony which its
importance demands. Accordingly we find
that it is attended with great deal of display,
expense, and many idolatrous performances.
An outline Of the proceedings is somewhat
like the following: Children are betrothed
by their parents at an early age, so that those
concerned have not word to say in the
choice of their companions. Law and custom
require children to fulfil the engagements
made by their parents. After the betrothal,
the girl is excluded from all society except the
females of her own household and few rela-
tives. When they have arrived at a suitable
age, day is appointed on which the young
man sends bridal chair, of massive dimen-
sions, beautifully carved and gilt, and borne by
four men, to bring the bride to his fathers
house. The chair is preceded by band of
music, and accompanied by persons bearing
insignia of various kinds. The rich often make
grand display in these wedding professions.
met one recently, composed of more than one
hundred men, boys, and girls, gaily dressed,
and each one bearing some device. These
were all, perhaps, hired for the occasion. When
the procession reaches the house, the bride,
dressed in red robes, and deeply yelled, is re-
ceived by her intended with various ceremonies,
is escorted by attendants to the bridal chamber,
in which all the furniture is painted bright
red. Here the bridegroom is permitted to see
his bride, perhaps for the first time in his life.
The bride is now brought into the main hall,
the cup of alliance is drunk, and she is submit
ted to the examination and criticism of the hus-
bands friends and unites with him in worship
ping his ancestral tablets. Three days are
now spent in feasting, making merry, and va
rious ceremonies Of an idolatrous character
after which, the bride returns to her parents,
accompanied by presents of roast pork, which
are to be distributed among those of her friends
who made her bridal presents. A few days ago
saw sixteen hogs, already roasted, being sent
for this purpose.
Astrology is consulted and idols invoked, for
guidance in the selection of suitable ones to be-
troth, in appointing lucky day for the mar
riage, and on other occasions. At the betroth
al a stipulated sum of money is paid to the pa
rents of the girl, and presents exchanged, by
way of confirming the bargain. The expense
of wedding is very great, and often beyond
the means of the parties concerned. The hus
band brings his wife to his fathers house, and
she is thenceforth subject to his parents. In
this way large families of relatives are collect
ed together, subject to one head, and supported
by the common fund, which is gathered from
the labors of all the members. They thus en-
Joy the benefits of united labor and the cheap
est mode of living, while the authority of one
common head is acknowledged and respected,
by whose influence harmony is maintained.
Polygamy is allowed by Chinese law, but it
is not generally practiced. The expense of
more than one wife prevents the
poor, while the contentious and jealousies so
likely to result often deter the rich from divi-
ding their affections between two or.more fe-
males, unless they can have separate establish.
ments for them. When man takes a second
wife, she is selected for her beauty or accom-
or it may be from love he pays
sum of money to her parents, sometimes sever
al hundred dollars, and cakes her to his house |
without any of the display or ceremonies of the
first wedding. Here, however, she occupies
secondary place, is subject to the first wife, and
is indeed merely her handmade; she has no
right to her own children, but theyare consd- |
cred and treated as belonging to the first wife. |
1t is considered discreditable for man to take |
q concubine if his wife have borne him sons
and those who are not thus favored are careful |
to select, from amongst their relatives, children
to adopt as sons, in order to prevent, if posi- |