Washington telegraph., 1855-06-20
Market for Young Women iE.
ElgsEg2ry.

Every year at Inc least OF OF. eter, winch
cones in the latter days of June. the peas
aniry of this district (Bihar) meet together
at a certain place, for the purpose of gen
ersl fair. The fair has very peculiar in
terest for the young men and the young
maidens, for it is there that, whilst purchas-
irg household utensils and family necessa-
ries, they choose for themselves partners,
and conclude marriages. The parents bring
their narriageable daughters, with each one
her little dover accompanying her. loaded
up IL small cart This dover is of course
prolortionate to the lowly condition of these
mogntaineers--some sheep, sometimes
few hogs or even chickens These girls are
attired in their best, or what pieces of gold
or silver they may possess, are strung upon
string and neatly attached to the braids of
their hair
Thus fitted out, every girl who desires
10 find q husband betakes herself to the fair.
She quits the house Of her father, perhaps
forever and bids her mother adieu, quite
ignorant Of what roof is to shelter, or what
fate awaits her journeys end. As to her
fortuur, it is in the little cart that attends
her. The object Of their journey IS never mis-
taken, nobody wonders at it. nor is there
occasion for a public officer to make record
Of the deed On the other hand, the youths
who wish to procure themselves wives has
ten TO the fair arrayed in the very best skin
garments their chests contain These saw
age looking chaps who would be quite
enough to to make our young ladies run
and hide themselves. proceed with good
deal Of interest and zeal 10 inspect the fair
mountain lasses that are brought thither bY
their fathers and their uncles, casting many
side glances and wistful looks towards the
captivating merchandise.
he gives bis fancy free rein. and when
he finds one that seems 10 claim his prefer
ence. he at once addresses the parents, asks
what they have given her, and asks what
price they have set upon the lot so expos
cd for sale-at the same time stating his
own property and standing. IF the parents
ask too much, these gallant boys make
their own offcr, which if it does not suit the
other to agree to. the fond lover passes 70
seek some enc else.
We may suppose that the proud young
men always keep a ''top eye" open to the
correspondence Of loveiiuess upon the one
hand, and the size of the dover upon the
other. At last be finds one for whom he is
willing to give the price and Loud clapping
OF the hands together announces to the by
s'anders that the bargain is completed
What heavy blow this must be for some
lazy rival who has not decided quick enough,
who is hating and considering whether She
viii suit him. and whether she is as lovely
and accomplished in household matters as
some Of the others. However, the deed is
done. and> the bargain is completed, and
forthwith the young girl-poor thine-pro-
eeeds Also to clasp the hand of her future
husband. What moment of interest and
anxiety to her. The destiny of her life is
scaled by ihis rude clasp of the hand. In
this act she as much as said. es. | will
bc yours for life, and | consent 10 partake
OF your joys and your trouble, to follow you
through veal and through woe
The families of the betrothed pair then
surround them. Offering their congratula-
tons, and at once without delay, the priest
who is on the ground for the occasion, pro-
nounces the nuptial benediciion The young
woman presses the parting hand of that
family who have reared her. but of which
she Is no longer a part-mounts the cart Of
her new husband. whom but few hours
before she never so much as knew, and es-
eorted by her dover. is conducted to the
house henceforward to be her home.
The Hungarian government have long
tried, but in vain. to suppress these fairs for
young girls. Positive orders have been
given that they should no longer take place,
but such is the force of the long established
custom. united 20 the necessities of this pas
toral race, that all such orders have been
disregarded. The fair still continues and
every year such cavalcades as we hare des-
cribed may be seen descending into the
plains Of Kalinnsa, there to barter of these
precious Jewels of the household, as though
they were senselesa beeves or mere produce
of the soil
Il parent who strikes child in anger, is
like man who strikes the water-the con-
e L. L n