Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-05-02
MARRIAGE IN RUSSIA.

children and what he requires before
all else is, that the future wife or hus-
band should belong to the orthodox
Greek church, and have a good reputa-
ton. Young men may marry at eighteen,
young girls at sixteen. Whether the
future pair know each other or not, there
is always matchmaker engaged TO make
the overtures, and to carry on the nego-
tiations on this delicate subject.
" Popping the question " is a profess
sion that requires great deal of art and
intelligence in the person who exercises
it. In the first place, a matchmaker
must be a widow, not younger than 35,
and not older than so. She must be
lively, good-looking, and full of fun and
wit. 1t is quite indispensable that she
should have the gift of gab," that, as
! the Russian proverb has it, she need
not feel for her words in her pocket A
matchmaker ought to know everything,
without showing it. Very often the
matchmaker is the widow of a priest.
After the death of her husband, when
she sets up in her profession, she is sure
to have a large number of customers,
both rich and influential, to help her on
in any difficulties, particularly if her
husband, during his lifetime had ae-
quired the love and and respect of his
parishioners in the exercise of his min
istry.
The matchmaker is the intimate friend
of all parents who have children to
marry, and of young lovers of both sexes.
She is always on the lookout, and knows
how to guess the inclinatious of her
customers, and the best time to COM
mence operations. The custom is that
neither the parents nor the young peo-
pie should show that the latter desire to
contract marriage; in fact, they pre-
tend entire ignorance on the subject.
" Well, Ivan ITanitch, says the match
maker to the father, "you have the
goods and I have the buyer; do you not
think it is time to find a place for Ma
chinka2 Come Alexandres day (the
holy man, she will have attained her
tenth year, with six added to that. What
say your" Why, l don't say no, if
my daughter says yes. Speak to her; it
is her business, not mine. l am an old
man now, and have forgotten all about
these sort of things"
Now, the matchmaker knows very
well that Machinka is in love with the
young Andevrimkoff, her uncle's clerk.
81 Come, Ivan 1vaniteh, the thing is very
well as it is Machinka won't say no,
you'll see." Well, well" says the old
man tell me who is the predestined
engaged one? "Guess," says she. The
old man names all the young men he
knows, without even mentioning the
right one, although he is perfectly aware
ali the time who he is but such is the
usage. At last the matchmaker names
him, and adds, Marriages are made in
heaven, you know"
When all this is settled, they send for
the mother, and the same scene is re-
peated, with this difference, that she
bursts into tears when she gives her
consent. And now takes place the third
scene of the first act. The young lady
is sent foG the matchmaker begins by
making a low speech, in which she de-
scribes the happiness Of the marriage
state, particularly the quiet happiness of
the young lady's own parents speaks
of the blessing of God that had evidently
been bestowed upon them in the gift of
children. She then continues to tell of
the pleasures of becoming a mother, of
parental love, and of the way in which
the young lady's own parents had
brought up their daughter, and con-
cludes by a serious exhortation to re-
spect and obey her parents, All this
time Machinka is standing before the
tribunal listening with downcast eyes
and blushing cheeks. The foregoing
scenes are then acted over again, and
Machinka does not succeed, any more
than her parents, in finding out the
young gentleman name. At last the
matchmaker declares it. If he is ae-
cepted by the young lady, she throws
herself at her parents feet, and declares
that she never wishes to leave them, but
that, if it is her destiny, she is willing,
and desires their blessing.
The father then sends for every men,
Der of his household, even to the dvornIk
(porter) all sit down and remain
perfectly still for a moment; they rise,
pray mentally, making the signs of the
cross, and the father declares to all pre-
sent that his daughter is asked in mar
riage that she has accepted the offer
because she believes it to be her destiny
and the will of God finally he gives
her his blessing, All then congratulate
the parents and the young lady. Every
body sheds tears at the thong ht of the
separation, and boWing,
leaves the room. The family remain
alone with the matchmaker to treat of
the marriage portion to be given on both
sides, as well as Of the outfit; the parents
ask what the young man has, although
they know very we'll but it is the Gus
tom. Then the matchmaker begins
q Well, Ivan Ivanitch, you give the
bundle of goods but what do
you give into the bargain /? Hum
says the old man, the goods furnish
are so good that consider anything else
useless. Let us first know what the
future husband has. The matchmaker
then mentions, one after the other,
everything the gentleman is to bring |
toward housekeeping. The father listens,
and then enumerates all he Is to give his |
and begins thus A large |
double bed complete. - The young lady !
bushes, the mother sighs. The father
continues Two marten sable clocks,
one of fox fur, fifteen Lyons silk and |
satin dresses, ten real Paris bonrets,
twelve pairs of shoes, three chemises, one
night gown, and one petticoat, etc.
After many observations on both sides,
everything is concluded; the day is ap-
pointed for the young people to be pre-
sented to each other they then separate.
The next day the brides family 60 to
church to give thanks for the marriage |
in prospect, which they must now make
known to their friends and relations.
When the bridegroom is presented,
The whole house Is in confusion: all the |