Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1855-06-28
[FrOm the n. Z. Journal Of Commsree.l ]

at the marriage of Chinese couple, anc
as was much Interested in the pro-
ceedings on that occasion, / thought q
brief account Of them might be agreea,
able, and afford you some entertain.
ment, particularly should you be as ca
ger as most young ladies are to hear and
see everything connected with so i'm
portant a ceremony.
To premise, must tell you that the
bridegroom is sgraduste of the Episco-
palnissionary school here, and that, in
addition to conforming to the peculiar
customs of his own country, he had de-
sired to be married in the Christian fash
ion. In consideration of this, the Bish-
op had duly expounded and interpreted
to the bridegroom the nature of our ho-
ly alliance of matrimony. Both parties
were made fully sensible of its divine
injunctions, and appeared to be perfect
ly satisfied with the obligations it mu-
tually imposes. The bride was espe-
cially 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 de-
light 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-at-
tracted to the Episcopal church large
number of both natives and foreigners.
l had not waited long before the nuptial
procession arrived. 1t was headed by a
band of peculiar wind and stringed in
struments, that discoursed anything 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 red jack
cts. In this train of luxurieS, l counted
no less than dozen hogs roasted whole.
and glazed and vanished in the most
fantastic manner. A goat that had al
so 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
bridegroom, a little man elegantly
dressed, who strutted along, evidently
puffed up with his own Importance
Then followed an old man bearing a
large umbrella, to hold over the bride
when she enters and leaves her sedan;
behind him came boys prettily dressed,
lanterns and banners; then the
trays, on which were seen the brides
consisting of silks, jewelry,
&C., and lastly close red sedan chair,
gilded and embroidered,
the bride herself.
On ordinary occasions she is locked
IN the chair by her mother or some 9TH
er relation, and the key is given to the
bridegroom, after reaching his house,
where he opens the door and assists his
wife out, and sees her perhaps for the
first time in his life. On account of the
in which young ladies are kept,
they know very few persons besides
heir own relations. They pay visits
only to their relations, and are then car
ried in close sedans. Besides the fash
ion of eramping the feet, that makes it
difficult for them to walk out, custom
confines them to the house, and prevents
them extending their acquaIntances.-I
They know nothing whatsoever of the
sweet delights of courtship, and are Of
.en entirely unacquainted with the char
acter and appearance of their intended
Betrothment takes place in
and is arranged by match
makers of either sex, whose profession
t is to conduct nuptial negotiations.
But to return to the wedding. The
bride soon appeared to the chancel. in
company with the groom, and two ma
ronly ladies hired for the occasion to
comfort and assist her. She wore a
carlet cape dress of the Chinese fash
on; a veil of the same material hanging
rom her forehead, concealed her fea-
ures; very pretty embroidered shoes
covered her little feet, scarcely four in
hes in length, and her hair was elab-
,rately dressed and deckcd with orna-
nents. The Bishop. knowing we were
ii curious to see Chinese beauty, We
Y considerably raised her veil. and
,laced it on the top of her head. The
exposure did not meet my ideas Of love-
mess, but her simplicity and modest de-
,ortment in this trying position, and the
leep interest she seemed to take in the
Whole ceremony, investing her with a
harm so engaging that / could not help
ceiling concerned for her welfare, and
loping that all her expectations of hap
,iness might be realized. The service
hat was performed in the Chinese Ian
,uage was solemn and imposing, and
hought impressed them with proper
ense of the importance OF the contract
hey were entering into.
r As soon as the knot was tied. the veil
vas drawn over the brides face, she
vas conducted to her chair and carried
n procession to the bridegroom's house.
Here she was received by her husband,
Who handed her out and followed her
nto a room, where, with becoming
,rayity, he took off the red veil; after
Which, they pledged each other with
vine the cups being ioined by a thread