The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1870-10-13

pOiLtan Record, 10 DIX upon snp9ecI uoFe
interesting TO the majority of mankind
(and womankind, of course,) than matri-
mony. There is perpetual charm about
it that delights every one who has not
tried it, and some who have, and keeps it
always fresh and attractive, From an
article on this subject in the Troy Times
we make few extracts wherein are re-
lated some entertaining things concerning
marriages and marriage customs.
A MATRIMONIAL CHAPTER.
When Socrates was asked whether it were
better for q man to get married or live sim
gle, he replied /: "Let him do either and ne
will repent it'
With due respect to Socrates, We must
object to the above. We once knew for
tune hunting young man who married
maiden lady on the wintry side Of fifty. She
was worth about one huudIed thousand dol
lars, and died in less than month after the
celebration of the nuptial ceremonies lie
Inherited her property, and he never repent
ed his marriage. nor are we aware that he
ever regretted her death.
Among the ancient Germans it was death
for any woman to marry before she was
twenty years old. By the laws of Lycur-
gus the most special attention was paid to
the physical education, ard no delicate or
eickly women were, on any account, allowed
TO marry.
In the royal library of Paris is a written
contract, drawn up in 1897, between two
persons of noble birth iE Armagoss. The
document bound the husband aud wife to
faithful wedlock for seven years. 1t stipu-
lated that the parties should have the right
to renew the tie at the end Of that time, If
they mutually agreed but, if not, the chill
dren were to lie equally divided, and if the
number should not chance TO be even, they
were to draw lots fer the odd one.
The following romantic story is told of
Lord March (grandsou of Charles ii J. who
aiterward became the second Duke ol Rich
mond, and who. while yet young, was eu-
gagged, without being consulted as to choice,
to lady still younger. The bride was the
daughter of the Earl of Cadogan, MArlbor
oush's favorite general. Their union (ac-
cordlng to Napier's account) Was bargain
TO cancel q gambling debt between the pa.
rents. and young Lord March was brought
from college, the lady from the nursery, for
the. ceremony. The bride was amazed and
silent, but the bridegroom exclaimed, Sure
ly you are not going to marry me to that
his tutor instantly carried him off to the
continent A few years after this event
Lord March returned home from his trave Is
a most accomplished gentleman, but having
such a disagIeeable recollection of his vile
that he avoided home, and repaired, on the
first night of his arrival, to the theatre.
There he saw a lady of so fine appearance
that he asked who she was. and Cd being an
swered. that she was "the reigning toast. the
beautiful lady March," he hastened tu claim
her. and they lived together so affectionately
that one year only after his deceAse, in 1850
she died of grief.
An English marriage party lately had a
time of it in London. They went TO the
church, found it closed, and after getting the
keys, had to force the vestry door, when
they had neither sU:phce. books nor register
A sheet was borrowed, in which the minister
was pinned, and while waiting for messen
ger to return with the register, the party
amused themselves by ringing the three beilt
of the church. all of which so Disguised the
regular vicar who did not marry them, tha
he assigned a Folemn service on Friday
March oath. "to avert the wrath of Almighty
God. and to 6eprecate his righteous judg
ment, in consequence Of the PROCLAMATION o
his sanctuary on Monday last. Divine ser
v. 2.-Alfred Pownell, Vicar"
In Borneo, marriage, which generally sue
ceeds a heightened routine of en;gmatica
courtship peculiar to those people, is cele
brated with great pomp and considerable
originality. The bride and bridegroom arr
conducted from opposite ends of the villag
TO the spot where the ceremony Is to be per
Iormed. They are seated upon two bars o
iron, symbolic of the vigorous and lastiu;
blessings in store for them. cigar ant
betel leaf, carefully prepared with areca nut
are put into the hands of each. One of tn
officiating priests advances, waves two fowl
over the heads of the betrothed, and III lon
address to the Supreme Being. and shor
one to the couple, calls down eterua, bless
ings on them. implorcs that peace aud hap
piuesS may attend the union, and gives som
temporal advice. sometimes of a characte
more medical than sanity. The spiritus
part being thus concluded, the material suC
ceeds.
The heads of the aflianced are knocked tC
gether three or four times then the brid,
groom puts his betel leaf and cigar iEto tn
mouth of the bride; and thus they are az
knowiedged welded couple, with the san,
tion of their religion. At later period, o
the nuptial evening, fowls are killed, ii
blood caught in two cups. and from its cole
the priest foreteis the future happiness
misery of the newly welded. The ceremon
Is closed by least, much dancing and nois
music.
The ceremony of marriage among the Ca
muck Tartars is performed on horseback
girl is first mounted, who rides off at fu
speed. Her lover pursres, and ii he owe
takes her, she becomes his wife, returnir
with him to his tent But it sometim
happens that the woman does not wish
marry the person by whom she is pursue
IN which case she will not permit him
overtake her; and no instance occurs of
Caimuek girl being caught unless she has
partiaity for her pursuer.
In Siberia bride is required, on arrivir
at her husbands house, to invite guests
dinner that shall prove her quality, at
upon which, In fact, her future reputatil
will depend. 1t must be prepared by h
own hands, and both to herself and her D
rents shame viii be the consequence if s.
be found deficient. If her dinner prove
triumph, it will recommend TO honorab
notice not only herself hpt 0lsO har q, - y