The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-06-02
RE view or NEW OKa

From Claxton, Remsen a. Haffefnper we
have received ''The Wedding Day in all Ages
and Countries" =" by Edward j. Wood. This is
very complete, very interesting, and very anus
ing dissertation on the marriage ceremonies and
customs in all ages and among all nations. The
author has made a very thorough investigation
OF his subject, and the book is ful of curious
information, which makes 1t very pleasant
reading. ....
We give few extracts as samples Of the
book
iSrbo con.s an Epyptian race, who were SENT
Cyhrlstians mad the following marriage customs in
the seyenteenth century On the wedding day the
both with their relations and friends, went TO
ohurch The procession which generally started in
shSnted HYMNS, men who struck little tablets of
ebony with wooden hammers FOR music and others
who carried lighted torches and candles On reach
ing the church, the bridegroom, together with the
other men, seated in the choir; and the bride
was placed apart Wlgh the Women me priests at
intervals accompanied by the people, recited lengthy
and monotOnous prayers and hymns. Then the chief
priest approached the bridegroom and read several
more prayers to him, and signed him withthe cross
at the beginning and end Of each. The
bridegroom then sat down the ground with
his face towards the East and a silver cross was
held over his head until the remaining prayers were
concluded. The saCristan then placed seat for the
bride and one Of her nearest relations outside the
choir and led her to it, lie then robed the bride
groom in long white garment reaching down TO his
feet bound his waist with grdle, and put white
cloth upon his head. Thus attired, he was led to
the bride, and the priest placing them close to each
other covered both with the same cloth, and
anonted their foreheads and wrists with oil.
He then joined their right hands, and read aloud the
duties of their new life. More prayers followed, and
after mass, in which the couple Communicated, the
ceremony was at an end. Copt priest at the pre-
sent day is forbidden to marry again on the death Of
his wife
'oThe Mahomedan Copts Kill a sheep as soon as the
bride enters the bTdegrOom's house. and she is
Obliged to step over the blood which is made to flow
'The ancient Persians, from notion that married
people were peculiarly happy in the future state,
used to hire persons to be espoused to such OF their
relations as had died in ceibacy. In fact, living
people were married to the dead The Persians con-
Mdered numerous posterity to be q gift from
heaven, and the fathers of large families received
rewards from the State They had many wives aud
grandees married their nearest female relations In
the seventeenth century the nobility might have as
many wives as they pleased; but the commonaty
were limited to seven; and they might part with
them at discretion.
.''When Persian made love ne sometimes burned
himself on visible part, in order to prove his faith
tulness to mis- mistress, who, if she accepted him,
gave him silken scarfs to bind up his wounds. on
the wedding day OF a wealthy man his relations and
trends met at his house, the nearest Of them being
dressed IN his livery, and the rest as well they
could be. The bride started from her house on horse
back, accompanied by her relations and friends all
mounted, with many singers 10 front. The bride
groom also LEFT mis- house in similar style; and the
TWO companies having met tney al went together
TO the brides house, where they danced. At night
TWO men conducted the bridegroom into the brides
chamber, ana the couple were left together; the
company in the meantime continuing their ball
About midnight an old woman brought to the COM
pany some evidence Of the brides purity aud then
great rejoicing followed. But if such evidence could
not be produced, the old woman took the bride from
the bed; and the bridegroom rejected her in the
presence OF the company, and sent her nome by her
parents. .... .r
ain more modern times matrmony in Persia was
30 expensive affair, that the meaner class of the
people took concubnes instead of wives. The Ma
homedans IN that country took wives in Of three
ways; namely, by purchase, hire, or marriage. OF
She espoused wives four allowed, but in general
only one was taken. Marriage contracts were made
by parents for their children when the latter at
a very early age-glrls at twelve, and boys between
twelve and fourteen. Frequently the man married
by proxy, and did not his Wiie until after con-
summation, which sometimes did not take place
until several days after the wife had been al her
husbands house. Generally the husband ana wife
were strangers to each other until they were actually
pledged In matrmOny,
"The courtship commenced by an elderly female
being employed by the brdegroom's relations to visit
the lady selected by them and her Office was to as
certain the maidens personal attractions and endow-
ments, and other requisite information II the repOTt
was favorable, the friends OF the intended husband
sent sponsors to the ladys relations to explain his
merits and pretensons, and to make a formal offer
OF marriage III he was accepted, the chiefs OF the
two families met, and the necessary contract was
drawn up; the presents ana gifts proposed by the
brldegrOOns parents were arranged ana when all
was finally settled, the documents were signed and
witnessed before the Cadi. Sometimes the marriage.
broker was man VINO lived by the profession Of
matchmaking. .....
"On the day before the wedding the bride took a
bath and the bridegroom sent her some henna,
with which after her bath her hands AMI feet were
stained. Her eyebrows and forehead also were
tinted Win powder. Ille bridegroom was COlOrgQ
in the same way with henna On the eve Of the
nuptal celebration, the brides friends assembled at
her house, attended by musicians and dancng-girls
On the morning of tnC wedding day the husband sent
train of mues laden with the promised gifts to his
bride; the whole being attended by numerous ser
wants. and preceded by music. Besides the presents
for the lady the servants carried rich Vands silver
trays, ready prepared to be Immediately placed be-
fore the inmates Of the brides house. The day was
spent by them in ieasting and rejoicing.
"TOwards the evening the maiden was enyeOpgd
IN long vel OF scarlet or crimson silk, placed upon
horse or mule spendidy Caparisoned, aud con-
Quoted to her husbands house. accompanied by all
her relations and noisy band Of musicians. On the
way, large lookngglass was held before her by
OF her maidens, an admOnton that that was the
last time she would see herself as virgin. When
she had aghted at her husbands door, she met
by his father and mother and led by her female rela
tons and servants TO her apartment, Her male
friends repaired TO the Orldegr0oms rooms, where
being met by his relations, all OF them feasted and
made merry with musical accompaniments. The
men and women supped separately. When the meal
was ended, the bride was conducted TO the nuptial
chamber where her husband met her and beheld her
for the first time. Shortly afterwards he returned TO
his party ana an old woman in waiting led the lady
back to her female friends. space of time being
allowed for both sets OF relations to congratu-
late the couple on their marriage and its consumma-
ton, the couple repaired again TO their chamber for
the night, leaving their friends to keep up the
reYelry, which lasted several days
"The marriage contract stipulated for the SETTLE
ment OF certain sum Of money and other presents
On the bride, prOportonate TO the fortune Of the
bridegroom. This JOnture was intended for her sup
port IN case OF divorce. II the bridegroom was in
medium circumstances he gave his bride two COM
pete dresses, a ring and mirror; he also supplied
the furniture, carpets mats, culinary utensils, and
other necessares for their home. 10 deemed the
greatest possible disgrace to take back an ataneed
bride after she mad left her home to go the bride
grooms house When, therefore, the latter had
promised JOlnJure beyond his means, he shut his
door against the brides cavalcade and declared that
he would not have her unless the jointure would be
reduced. A negotiation took place between the par
ties, and the matter was finally adjusted according
10 MS wishes, TO save the scandal of taking back the