The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1868-01-16
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!. NUMBER ! I N.

SoUgHI GENERALIZATION Gus:
.ToMs.--It is . pleasart;custom amongjs
these Suabian people.te bring little.
children and flowers prominently be-.
fore them in all their:pleasures. Bril-.
dafprocessions are precededby young:
children Withswredths of flowers OF !
greenleaRFes; then thelbetrothe dsfoEI
low, the maid en- Ssessed in black; itfs.
is of fsomeaTk stuff her short drsssFis'
made. if%weH to do in this worlds
goods; if not, alpaca serves her.
black gloves, o black shawl, a wreath
of white flowers aTdianosegay at her
girdle. Her lover also &wssrs'a blacks
suit, sometimes of tabby velvet, with
SILVER gllden bnttons, bridal favor.
Z inshis T. button. hole. The bridesmaids
follow, and in white, with gay ribbons
and wreatl,s of flowers, with an atten-
dant friend, also wearing bridal IA;
vors. Then come thefathers and mo-,
thers, with relatives ard friends; the,
bell. on the .lold church meanwhile
sending out merry welcome to pea
SAINT: brides, as we'll as brides of 8
higher a degree. On! entering the
church, the maiden is lcdto pewby
her bridesmaid and female friends.-
The Bridegroom and his friends mean
while take seats in pews opposite,
while the little children with their
flowers, take seats near the altar
The old bell ceases its. gay clamor,
and every thing is quiet, when tho
pastor, enters by side door, in his
black robe he ascends,the pulpit, and
reads the betrothed a good long SER
mon in pure German or Suabian, as
his judgment dictates. He is an old
man, and dearly loved by his peasant
folks, being ripe scholar, he indul-
gcs his fancy when he knows those
who have come to be joined together
in holy matrimony will understand
his fine periods and flowing Ian
guage. He leaves the pulpit and
puts over the black robe a white linen
surplice, then goes to the altar, ON
which is laid bible in leather
case. The bridegroom leaves his
seat for the pew where the maiden sits
and leads her to the altar. where the
service is finished, which makes them
husband and wife. On leaving, the
husband receives from The pastor, the
bible, with an injunction to read and
be governed by its teachings, dill
gently and with the fear of God. He
then deposites in the receiving plate
a bit of money, and the bridal party
follow, each giving what they please,
for purchasing bibles for other thou
sands who may come after. Every
bridegroom, from those who wear
kingly crowns, to the humble peasant,
receives bible at the altar. when he
pIights his troth to his welded wife.
The bride meets at the church door
as it opens for her topass out, group
of children, her little friends, who
have gathered there ready to offer
their gifts; some bring flowers, some
fruits, some: a cup and saucer, some
a plate, gay ribbon, spool of
thread, or whatever they please to
bestow. These they give to some one
Of the bridal party to take to the
brides new home. One morning, I
heard a merry chattering in the
street, and looking out of my window
saw peasant bridal procession go-
ing with the bridal gifts to the brides
new home. Two women carried on
their heads each new mattress, 9TH
ers with new baskets of linen. Ono
woman, quite tasty in her basket CO.
ycring, had the muslin curtains neat
ly folded and gay pin cushion for
her gift. A man with mirror, ano-
lher with a new basket of china, while
poor old decrepit peasant, bent with
suffering and pain, had his heart
lightcned for little while, by new
dust pan and brush he was making
for the young couple. <r>.-