Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-06-09
nlistellanp.
Greek Marriage Customs.

The Greeks marry young. Marriage is the
subject OF conversation amongst young people
sixteen years of age, They marry somewhat in
considerably, and without any certain pros
poets. If they delayed taking a wife until
they were sure of being able to maintain her,
the population would diminish Marriage is q
purely religious act The betrothal, another
religious ceremony, has almost as sacred char
acter as marriage. In certain can,ons-in Mis-
sOlonghi, for iustance--s beuothed young man
enjoys ali the rights OF husband. They delay
the celebration of the union until the promise OF
It's first fruits. II the future bridegroom, after
the conscientious celebration Of his betrothal,
were to draw back from completing his engage
ment, his refusal would cost him his life.
story is told of betrothed young man who toek
refuge on board Portuguese ship on the eve OF
his wedding. lie died at Lisbon of stab with
a knife. lt is difficult to break of . marriage
which is not yet completed, nothing is easier
than to undo it when il is done The papas, or
priests, are not incorruptibe, and, il you know
by which end to handle them, will centriye to
discover 10 the most regular union five or SIX lu-
formalltes, sufficient to annul tho marriage.
After having lived with your wife forty years,
they will make ita point of conscience to de-
clare that you have been enormously married,
aud that the person in question is nothing to
you. But it costs very dear, as Panurgc says
1t it pleases you to have been married, whilst 1t
dspleases you to be married still, divorce shines
for all the world. Certain ladies are to be seen
IN Athens who have been divorced threo times,
and who could ask their three husbands to DIN.
ner without the publcs having right to ma
fault with them. But divorce is luxury which
humble people scarcely ever indulge IN.
The rural districts are tcnanted by exemplary
households. The honest creatures pass their
lives without passion and without coquetry,
Once married, the most elegant peasant girl
takes no trouble 10 please even her husband
her whole pleasure and her glory consist in rear
ing the greatest possible number oil CHILDREN
She is PEI fectly satisfied with her own appear
ance, Il she can take walk on Sunday, prece'
ded by her husband and followed by hve OF Sa
OF her progeny, She takes no care to h'de o.
sustain the formidable source whence the wn0N
little family have drawn their sustenanee on ou'
advances with majestic and protruding step, IKE
goose, Tho song says, " Sink down, ye noun
talns, that may behold Athins-Athina, my
beloved, who walks like goose !" Mothers 0
families baye profound pity tor women Wn'
have the misfortune to be without cniieren
When journeying, the travellers were asked o.
oil the men whether they were married; BY 'h
women il their mothers had many children; 4
Is said that when King 0tho was going aoou
the country with his young queen, 10 snow nc
TO the people, the wife of demarque, OF mayor
who came to compliment her sovereign, @pPe'
her uncermoniously on the stomach, asking
"When are YOU going to give US an heir
The rivalry Of the mothers Of families ought, y
twenty years, TO have doubled the population !.
the Kingdom but the fever has put thinge
order. In summer children die OF like hiei
Those who survive are mostly spindle-ehanke
and potbsllied until they attain their tbir,eens n
of fourteenth year. The parents rescue al 'ns