Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-09-27

WIFE-SllOW IN ST PETERSBURG.
Russia, in its progress towards high cul-
tiyation, is gradually laying aside the barbar-
Gus customs that have been in vogue for
many generations. Some Of them still have
a nominal existence, but the life has gone
from them. and they must soon become cN-
unct. Among these is the curious one allud-
ed to in letter from u correspondent Of The
NeU York Ecenipg Post. The wife-show is
held on the day after Whitsunday, in the
Summer Garden, one Of tho pleasant parks in
st. Petersburg.
The wife-show is now the last lingering
relic Of what was once a popular national
custom. Here the sons and daughters of
tradcsmcn were wont to assemble, TO select
their partners for life. The girls would come
dccked out in all tho ornaments the family
could raise, and sometimes carrying in their
hands bunch Of silver teaspoons, or play
ing gracefully with huge silver ladlc, as If
1t were fan; while the young men, also APP
pearing TO the best advantage, would stroll
by them, and on seeing any young lady who
particularly struck their fancy, would polite
ly inquire about her dover from the parents,
who invariably accompanied the blushiug
damsels The custom 80 far exists 10 the
present day that, had been matrimonially
disposed | might have selected wife with
out even the trouble Of advertising, to say
nothing Of saving the time which the more
conventional customs of my native land deem
requisite for a courtship.
Here comes group attracting more than
ordinary attention. They Hre candidates for
matrimony-two young sisters, apparently a.
bout eighteen years Of age They are rather
pretty, and quite elegantly dressed in light
colors, and wearing the little jaunty hats and
feathers Behind them come their parents
and an old woman plainly attired, but, after
all. ono Of the most important members OF
the party. II young man is taken with the
appearance Of the candidates. he will give the
old ladys shawl gentle pull, and they will
together step one side and avoid the crowd
/ by turning into one Of the sidewalks. A con-
versation like the following will cnsue, it be-
ing Of course understood by the parties shat
the young bachelor is wife-hunting:
oil lIoman-Wcll, sir, what is your name.
Young Mm-Ivan Pclroyitch, lutte mother
q. W.-Where do you live?
y. M-In Gargarovitch street, No. 5.
q. W-Nou are well off
y. Ives; l get so many rubes from
my little store in the Gostinnor Divor, and
ilhNt ~ HlNNU lalh ls w nhk TUG Ndilt tl
the young lady--tho one at the right, little
mothera
q. V.-You'rc not the first that has asked
me that, for finer yourg woman has not
been on the Summer Garden for many
sphingster. Her name is Ekatarina, and her
dover is SO many rub!es.
After some further ss-questioning tho
parties separate. In the evening the old We.
man states to tho parties the various proposi.
tons she has rccoiy, d, and TO the one who
has the largest income note is sent If all
his statements are found correct, the thing is
considered settled, aud Ekatarina is marreC
to Ivan with little more ado. She ucyei
thinks Of obiccting, and neither bride noi
bridegroom have any idea Of wasting time it
courtiug.
/ But, as | said before, this custom is ias
falling into disuetude, and this year not more
than half dozen candidates for matrimon,
presented themselves at the Summer GardeI
wifesho for 1861 Two or three year,
more, and the custom will be tradition o
the past.