Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-09-19
MARRIAGEIN RUSSIA


possesses another attraction, which it
shares with no other that am aware oil,
save with the garden of the TuiIleries at
Paris. Like the chestnut shaded ave.
nues Of the TuilIeries, this garden is the
afternoon resort of crowds Of the most
charming children, who repair thither cs-
corted by their mothers, to people the
solitary walks, and make the Strawberries
reSound with their innocent mirth.
Fifteen or sixteen years later, these
children re>appear upon the same scene,
but this time with less srtleSs intentions,
and to play more perilous game. On
Whitsunide afternoon there are to be
seen. ranged in long rows, dressed in
their best, and often bedecked with the
most costly jewels. the daughters Of the
middle classes of Pvtersburgcrs. Matri-
mouy is the object Of display. 1t is the
show Of brides. "
Young bachelors, disposed to marray,
now walk up and down the line of dam
sells, critically inspecting them as they
pass. Should their eye indicate that they
have made choice, a match making
friend of the young lady's stepps out ol
the rank. joins the would be wooer, takes
forming him of the girls circumstances,
OF her family, dOwry, houscwiIcIy quail
GcatIOns, ect., and obtaining from him
similar Information concerning him mSeli
Should they SO fAr come to an undcr-
standing that the consent Of the lady and
of her parents alone rcmAns to be OBJ
Gained, the matchmaker conducts her can
didale to the mother, who introduces him
to her daughter. invites him to her house,
and ~ wedding is the usual result of the
acquaintance thus singuIarIy commenced
Odd as 1t may Seem, experience daily
proves that these marriages, originating
vnltrrly in the pleasing impressions and
sympathy awakened byn tirsl glance. are
Tor The most part, productive OF much
happiness. This is. certainly, atLributa-
Die IN great measure, to the fact that
u Russian OF the middle class, expects
very little frons his wife; and the richer
he is, the less he expects. About the
qualifications and accomplishments which
a German Of the same class takes into
consideration when selecting 4 wife, such
AS education, economy and the like, the
Russian troubles not his head. A rich
Russian, of the middle class, REQUIRES
nothing of his wife but that she should
DO handsome, dress with taste, and ap>
pear elegantly a!tired the first thing in
the morning, OF sit all day on sofa do
ing nothing, or at most, reading novel or
knitting purse. He detests seeing his
wife busted with domestic matters.
These are occupations for servants, and
should the mistress Of the house make
them hers, she would lower herself, not
only in her husbands eyes, but in those
of all around her. To sit in state, and
receive company. is the Russian lady's
sole business. Under this state of things,
the education of children is of course,
much less attended to than were dcsira-
Die. The boys, however, regularly attend
the schools, or are sent TO board at edu-
cational institutions and as to the girls,
that which is required Of them as women,
IS, as we have already seen, so very little
Chat how small soever the care bestowed
upon their bringing up, it nevertheless is
found sufficient. But do not advise any
German to seek wife at St. Petersburg
Whilsuntide Festival.
Wedding presents arc not customary in
Russia. On the other hand, there is Il
long standing patriarchal custom, which
has been preserved with some variations,
to the present day. | one morning met
dn acquaintance, who hurried by me
with unusual precipitation.
" Whittier away in such haste % l
asked.
"l have no time to spare" WAS the re.
ply " l have bread and salt to buv."
Bread and salt! Have you not both
at home? -
'' l will tell you another time"
AT our next meeting l received an ex-
Plan"tlou' From time immcmorial there
has existed among the Russians a custom
That person changing his house should
receive from each one Of his acouaintan-
ces loaf and some salt. The meaning
OF the usage may possibly be the kipdiT
wish. May you in your new DWELLING at
least never in want of those two
things. AS the people became more mol.
Isned @ and fine, they brought the salt in a
little barrel aud the bread on a plate or
IN basket. Later still, when civiliza-
ton, LED to luxury, these unadorncd re.
ceptacles We're exchanged for costly ones,
Inc simple gifts of bread and salt were
presented In boxes and baskets of silve,
and gold. And at the present dav the
bread and salt are wholly omitted. and the
casket stands for the contents To avo;d
monotony the salt-box is renlaced hv .
costly vase, the bread basket bv a sary;ce
OF plate or some other rich nresenf
mere is no change, however, in the form
Ila representation. AS though to excuse
~ verbal humility, the exaggeration, anG