The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1855-06-11
A Chinese wedding.

We lind in the New York J0mnT OF
Commerce letter from Shanghai, in which
the following account Of the wedding OF two
Chinese, according to the Christian rite
1t will be read with interest:
SHANGHAE, China, Feb. Is, 1855.
A short time since was present at the marriage
ola Chinese couple, and as was much interested in
the proceedings on that occasion, thought briei
account Of them might he agreeable, and afford you
some ENTERTAINMENT particular y should you be AS ca
ger most young ladies' are, to hear and every
thing connected with so important ceremony.
To premise, must tell you that the bridegroom is
graduate of the Episcopal missionary school here
and that, in addition conforming to the peculiar
customs of his own country, he had desired to be
married in the Christian fashion. In consideration
Of this, the Bishop had duly expounded and inter-
preted to the bridegroom the nature of holy Office
Of matrimony. Both parties were made fully sensi-
BILE Of its divine inunctions, and appeared I've per-
fecty satisfied with the obligations it mutually i'm
poses. The bride especially pleased to learn,
that by the Christian faith, her husband per-
mitted to take more than one wife. She highly ap-
proved of the restriction that prevents possessing
many wives their will support, as is usu-
al in China and expressed great delight the pros
pect of having no rival to contend with.
The novelty of the Wellington this is the first
couple, the Bishop tells me, that he has ever joined
together-attracted to the Episcopal chapel large
number Of both natives and foreigners. had not
waited long before the nup,ial procession arrived
1t was headed by band of peculiar wind and string
ed instruments, that dscoursed anything but music TO
an American ear; after which came the sedans and
boxes containing the marriage feast, all of them paint
ed red, and their bearers wearing red jackets In
this train of Injuries counted less than dozen
hogs roasted whole, and glazed and garnished in the
most fantastic manner. A goat that had also been
roasted, and was contrved that its head was con.
stantly nodding, made very whimsical appearance.
These were succeeded by members of the family, be-
fore whom walked the bridegroom, little ee-
ganty dressed, who strutted alone, evidently pulled
up with vast idea OF his own importance. Their
followed an old man bearing large umbrella, to hold
over the bride when she enters and leaves her sedan
behind him came boys prettiy dressed, carrying Ian
terms and banners; then, the trays on which were
seen the brides trousseau. consisting of Silks jewel
ry, &c.; and, lastly, close red sedan chair beauti-
fully gilded and embroidered, containing the bride
herself. On ordinary occasions she is locked in the
chair by her mother or other relation, and the
key is given to the bridegroom after reaching his
house, where he opens the door, assists his wife out
and sees her perhaps for the first time in his life
On account Of the 'seclusion in which young ladies
are kept, they know very few persons besides their
own relations. They pay visits only to their rela-
tons, and then carried in close sedans Besides
the fashion of cramping the feet that makes it diff
cult for them to walk out, custom confines them to
The house, and prevents them extending their ac-
quaintances. They know nothing whatever of the
sweet delights Of courtshi, and often entirely I'm.
acquainted with the character and appearance of
their intended husbands. Betr0thment takes place
in childhood, and is arranged by mathematics of
either sex, whose profession it is conduct nuptial
negotiations.
But 10 return to the wedding. The bride soon APP
peared at the chancel, in company with the groom,
and two matronIy ladies hired for the occasion to
comfort and assist her. She wore scarlet Grape
dress, of the Chinese fashion; veil of the same ma
teria hanging from her forehead, concealed her fea-
lures; very pretty embroidered shoes cove, ed her
little feet, scarcely four inches in length, and her
hair deliberately dressed and decked with orna-
ments. The Bishop, knowing we were all curious to
see Chinese beauty, very considerably raised the
veil, and placed it on the top of her head. The ex-
posure did not meet my ideas of loneliness, but her
simplicity and modest department in this trying posi-
tion and the deep interest she seemed take in the
whole ceremony, invested her with charm enga.
ging that could not help feeling concerned for her
welfare, and hoping all her expectations of happiness
might be realized. The service that was performed
IN the Chinese language, solemn and imposing,
and thought impressed them with proper sense OF
the Importance of the contract they were entering
into. AS soon as the knot tied, the veil was
drawn over the brides face, she conducted TO
her chair, and carried IN PROCESSION to the bride
e. oom's house. Here she was received by her hus-
band, who handed her out, and followed her into
room, where, with becoming gravity, he took off her
veil; after which, they pledged each other in wine,
the cups being joined by thread, emblem Of
constancy. This most important part Of the Chinese
ceremonial was ended by the pair worshipping their
ancestral tablets. and sauing all the members of the
family. The band then struck up, and the assem-
bled guests sat down to the feast, the men in one
apartment and the women in another had intend.
ed remaining to witness this curious banquet; but
the usavory odor of their culinary compounds dis
composed the economy Of my stomach that l was
seized with uneasy qualms, and was upon the point
Of exhibiting 10y indsposition in public, when under
pretence of visiting very sick patient, took has
ty departure, leaving the company plying the BRIDE
groom with liquor. and in high state Of convivali
ty. ~. .'.l ell - t.".
BosroN, June 4.
The Rutland papers Of this forenoon, con-
tain the particulars of a riot in that city on