The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-06-23
Curiosities of the Marriage Gere-
m0nial;
MARRIAGE IL AssYRIA AND BABYLON.

MUuldI
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MARRIAGE IL AssYRIA AND BABYLON.
Among the ancient Assyrians all
manageable young girls were assem-.
bled in one place, and the public crier
put them up 20 sale one after another
The money which was received for
those who were handsome, and con-
sequentiy sold welI, was bestowed as n
wedding portion on those who were
plain. When the most beautiful had
been disposed of, the more ordinary
looking were offered for certain sum,
and allotted TO those who we're willing
to take them. Hence all the women
were provided with husbands.
The Babslnnians, like the Assyrians.
held kind Of market uftfieir daugh-
tcrs at certain times every year. They
were assembled in Il public place.
where they were exposed to general
view, and disposed of to the best bid
ders by the public crier. The money
given for the purchase of the hand
some ones was applied to portion ont
those who were deficient in personal
attractions. The custom was said to
have originated with Atossa, the
daughter of Belochus.
ANGLo-sAxoN CUSTOMS.
The Anelo-saxons held the nuptiai
tie in the greatest respect, and no mar
riase was lawful without the consent
of the woman's Mandbora. or guardian.
If such consent was not obtained. the
husband was liable to penalties. and he
acquired no legal rights over either the
wife or her goods. For this consent
the lover always paid a mede or price
in The na;ure OF a present, according
to the rank Of the lady. 1t was there
fore advantageous to a father that the.
"spindle-sile," or female part Of his
family, to nse Alfred's fern, should
oht-number the "spear-side. or male
members thereof. The parties were
solemnly contracted, and friend Of
the bridegroom became surety for the
woman's good treatment and mainten :
ance. Hersdowery was fixed; and all
the relations Of both parties within the
third degree were invited to the mar
riage feast. , Each one made some
present TO the couple; and the Mand-
bora gave them arms, furniture, cattle
and mnney. This was called the Fad
erfrum. or fathers gift, and was all
the fortune that the bridegroonl@re-
ceived.
On the day before the wedding,
which generally took place within six
or eight weeks from the time of tile
contract, the invited friends of the
bridegroom went to his house, where
they spent the dav in feastiug. On the
next morpiag they went armed and on
horseback to the honse of the bride.
under the conduct of the foremost man,
to receive her and conduct her to her
4 husband. This martial show was both
for compliment andsto prevent a res
cue by any former lover. The bride
was led by the aiatron, called the
brides-woman, followed by many
i young women, termed the bridesmaids,
and attended by her Mandbora and
other male relations. On her arrival
she was received. by the bridegroom
and solemrly betrothed by her guar
dian.
The united companies tIler, proceed
; ed to the church, attended By music
, ians. No marriage was lawful with
ont the presence of the Mandbora "a,
, the ceremony, and he gave the bride
to the bridegroom, Saying: "I Civ.
her TO be thy honor and thy wife; ts
keep thy keys and share with thee ir
!, thy bed and goods" The parties re-
eeiped the nuptial benedicfion from tn,
priest, sometimes under a vail o
square piece of cloth, called the care
+ cloth. held at each corner by man. t,
! conceal the brides bushes; hut thu
9 was not used n cases where the brid
r was a witinw. After the bened;c. n,
4 both Of the parties were crowned wit
!. flowers, which were kept in the eh.ur-ss
t for the purpose. A ring was Used a
the marriage as we'll as at the betrot!,
e al. Some authors say that at the MAJ
! riases Of the Anglo SaIons file Mar,S
bora presented the bridegroom Wit
Is one of the shoes; as token of til
Is transfer Of authority, and she VIZ
y made to feel the change by blow O
" the head with the shoe. The husban
9, was bound by oath to use his wife we
?, on failure of which she Nigh: lea,
is him; bnt he was allowed to bestow
moderate castiga,ion upon her.
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