Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-06-23
MISCELLANEOUS.
A Wedding in China.


A short time since was present at the
marriage ola Chinese couple, and as | was
mach interested in the proceedings |
thought brief account Of them might az
ford sou some entertainment.
70 premise, l must tel. you that the
bridegroom rs u graduate Of the Episcopal
missionary school here, aud thar. in add.
ton TO conforming to the peculiar customs.
OF his own country, he had desired to be
married in the christian fashion. In con-
sideration OF this. the Bishop had duly ex.
pounded aud interpreted to the bridegroom
the nature Of our hoy. clicc Of Mattimony.
Both parties were .aade fully sensible Of
lis divine injancfions. aud appeared TO be
psrlectly satisfied with the obiigat tons il
mutually imposes. T,e bride was espe-
eialIy pleased to learn thai by the christian
faith her husband was no. permitted TO
take more than one wife. She highly APP
proved ofthe restriction that prevents men
possessing as many wives as their means
- i'll support, as is usuai IN China. and ex-
pressed great delish. ut the prospect of
having no rival. 89f. Es.,,
The novelty oflhe weldins-for this is
the first couple, the Bishop tells me, that
he has ever joined togrther-attraeted to
the Episcopal Chap.! a large number Of
both natives and foreigners. had mol
waited long before the nuptial procession
arrived. 1t was headed by band Of Pc
cal'ar wind and string instruments that
discussed any thing but music to an
American ear; after which came the sedans
and boxes containing the marriage feast,
all Of them painted red, and their bearers
wearing .ed jackets. In this train OF lux.
uIirs counted no less than a dozen hogs
roasted whole. and glazed and garnished
in the most fantastic manner A goat that
had also been roasted. and was 50 conni.
we'd that its head was constantly nodding,
made whimsical appearance. These
weye succeeded by members oil the family,
before whom waIked the bridegroom, =
little msn elegantly dressed, who strutted
alone. evidently pulled up with vast idea
Of Iris own Importance. Then followed
an old man bearing large umbrella, to
hold over tire bride when size enteis and
leaves he. sedan; behind him came boys
prettily dressed, carrying lanterns AMI ban
ners; then the trays on WHICH were seen
the brides rousseau. consisting Of silks,
jewelry. Sc. and, lastly. close red Sc
dan chair, beautifully gilded aud eashfni.
drred, containing the Bride herself. On
ordinary occasions she is locked IN the
chair By her mother or some other relation
and the key is given 10 the bridegroom
after reaching his house, where he opens
the door. assists his wife out. and sees her
for the first time in his life. Or account
OF the scclusion in which young ladies are
kept the, know very few persons besides
there own relations. They pay visits on
" to their relations, and are then carried
in close sedans. Besides the fashion OF
cramping the feet, that makes It difficult
Tor them To walk out, custom confines them
to The hoase aud prevents them extending
their acquaintances. They know nothing
whatever OF the sweet delights Of court.
ship. and ara often entirely unacquainted
with the character and appearance otthem
intended husbands Betrothment takes
place in childhood. aud is arranged BY
match makers OF either sex, whose pro.
fession il is TO conduct nuptial negotiations
But to return 10 the wedding. The
bride soon appeared VI the chancelia COM
nany with me groom and two matronly la
dies hired for The occasion to co.Afort aud
assist her, She wore scarlet Grape dress
Of the Chinese fashion,; veil Of the same
material hanging from her forehead COM
cealed her features; very pretty embroid:
cred shoes covered her little feet, scarcely
four inch, > 10 length. and her HAIR Was ell
aoorately dressed and decked with orna-
ments. The Bishop, knowing we were
all curious to see Chinese beauty, very
considerably laised hsr veil and placed It
on top Of her head. The exposure did
not meet my ideas Of loye!ness, but her
simplicity aud modest dspoltmont in this
trying position. and tAe deep interest she
seemed to take in the whole ceremony,
invested her with charm so engaging
that could not help feeling concetned for
her welfare, The Service that was per-
formed in the Chinese language was sol
|emn ard imposing. and i thought impress,
ed them with proper sense ofthe imror-
tance OF the contract they we've entering
into. As soou as the Knot was tied the
veil was drawn over the brides face, she
was Conducted to heI chair, and carried in
procession TO the bridsgroom's house.