The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-06-08
MARIA GE FESTIVITIES IN SWEDEN.
A Gothenburg correspondent, dating April

MARRIAGE FESTIVITIES IN SWEDEN.
Gothenburg correspondent, dating April
9, writes:--
Marriage ceremonies, though interesting in
all countries, differ much in many of them
and having enjoyed the privilege of being
present at the numerous parties that have
been taking place here during the week, on
the occasion of the betrothal of a member of
one of the families of the highest standing in
the town, of which he is one of the represen-
tatives in the Chamber of Deputies, and the
eldest daughter of one of the principal mer-
chants, who, though of English extraction
is now completely naturalized in Sweden, 1
think some account of the gay doings on the
occasion may be interesting and acceptable.
In this, as in most of the Northern coun-
tries, the preliminary ceremony of betrothal
is considered necessity, and is only less i'm
portant than that of the marriage. AS soon
as the engagement is formed between the
young couple, what is called the "first visit"
to the relatives and friends of each is made,
after which all the connections are invited to
be present at the "betrothal," which is per-
formed at the house of the father of the
bride. In this case, the relatives on both
sides being numerous, upward of fifty wit
messed the ceremony, and afterwards sat
down..to splendid dinner, the table being
decorated in the most elaborate manner with
On the napkin of each lady there was an ex-
quisite bouquet of camelias and other exotics,
bound with a rosette of white ribbon, with
the names of the bridegroom and bride, and
the date, embroideredin gold letters; while for
each gentleman thdre was small bouquet
for the button-hole, with similar rosette.
During the dinner, which occupied two and a
half hours, an excellent band in the ante
room played national, favorite, and popular
oil of
the great toast of the evening, there was a
grand flourish of trumpets. When the dinner
and toasts were over, an adjournment to the
drawing room took place, and shortly after
wards, to the surprise of all, the lights were
extinguished, and then followed grand dis
play of fireworks on the lawn and adjacent
grounds, which were succeeded by a ball,
when young and old Joined in the dance, all
going off las merry as marriage bell.
The next day there was a similar party at
the house of the parent of the bridegroom,
but of what occurred there, or on two follow
ing days at the parties given by other rela-
tives, it is unnecessary to say anything, as it
would only be repetition of what has already
been told; but the ball given by the uncle of
the bride at his splendid mansion cannot be
tous passed over as nothing of the kind could
be finer or in better taste and STYLE. The
rooms were decorated with transparencies
and flowers of all kinds, with the most ex-
quisite camelias in the greatest profusion,
while the elegance and splendor of the toi-
lettes of the ladies could not be surpassed.
After dancing for some time supper was an
nounced, and on every dish, in some way or
other, were introduced the initials of the
bridegroom and bride. Among the dishes
were roasted woodcocks on trees,
with silver doves at the top, with
the all -pervading initials, and sugar
temples, with swans around with gold
rings in their beaks. The toasts were also
followed by flourish of trumpets, and
nothing was wanted to give effect to the
scene. After supper dancing was resumed
with cotillion, at which the usual orders
were distributed, in the form of:bouquets, on
touching spring in which neatly dressed
figure started out, holding the initials, cards
with mottos being likewise dispensed, and
the lady and gentleman who held correspond
ing cards were the partners of the dance, all
beside getting satin rosettes of different
colors, with the usual letters embroidered in
gold. Dancing was kept up until nearly three
in the morning, and that for Sweden is con-
sidered very late hour, though elsewhere it
might perhaps be said to be early.
No time was announced as being yet fixed
for the marriage, but whenever it may take
place it can scarcely be the occasion for more
sumptuous entertainments than those by
which the betrothal has been celebrated.