The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-02-28


wishes; close upon this follow the fcssivi-
ties, tho bridal pair leading off the dance,
in which all present join; the young hus-
band requests silence and bcgs all present
and all who may come to enjoy themselves.
At the time for refreshments the young
husband appears, dressed in costume
given him by his young wife; the costume
is as follows, everything according to Gus
tom A velvet cap, trimmed with gilded
bands, blue shirt, knee.breechcs of
leather, black stockings, fastened to the
breeches with white leather straps, new
shoes, and red leather apron, which he
puts on because he is obliged to serve his
guests at the dinner When announced,
the guests repair to dinner. Here again
they are superstitious, and take great care
that no more than twelve persons sit at the
same table, and never thirteen, the belief
being that if there are more than twelve
some accident will happen within a year
to some member of the village, and if
thirteen persons, then that some great ca
lamity will befall the village itself. The
more aged persons are the most particular
as to this, and takeupon themselves the pains
of seating the guests, as Interpretations
belief leads them to be right; each guest
has brought his own knife and fork. As
beforesaid, but twelve sit at the same table;
the bride is seated among her best friends,
and troubles herself about nothing; the
husband is busy in seeing that every one
is well served. The dinner is invariably
as follows A beautifully yellow -colored
rice soup, boiled beef with radishes, pork
and sausagcs with cabbage, coffee and
cake, cheese, bread and butter, not to
mention gratuitous supply of wine, beer
and cider. Having tarricd several hours
at the dinner, they return to the dancing
room, where the dancing is recommended
and kept up until midnight, when supper
is served, consisting of sausage, sauer-kraut
and salad, plums and rice, beer, cider and
winei invariably every course is partaken
of, out Of respect to the young husband,
who gives the entertainment; after this the
party commences to break up, but only the
old folk are allowed to leave; should a
young member disappear deputation
would return him in short time.
The second day, headed by music, the
guests still on hand promenade the town
and halt in front of the house Of each in
vited guest, to ascertain his whereabouts; !;
is he found in bed, to which very many of
the guests are obliged by oyer-indulgence
in the festivities to resort, he must come
out. no regard being paid to his condition,
and is placed upon donkey, facing the
donkey's tail; in this manner he is prone
naded through the village. When they
arrive before the house of the priest the
music strikes up lively tune, when, led
on by the bridal couple, they all commence
to dance. The priest comes out, wishes
them all good morning, pronounces his best
wishes, and re-enters his house. The gay
ful company now return to the house of
the husband for breakfast this consists Of
beer, soup and the remnants of yesterday.
Then the dancing recommences, which
lasts until toward evening, when all the
guests prepare to search for the so.called
"gothen"-a pillow of geese feathers
having found which they return, and one
of the party formally declares that the
young couple is about to commence house.
keeping, and, in the name of them all,
presents the husband with the "gothen, a
token Of peace, affection, love, and best
wishes Then follow the other gifts from
the different persons present, some being
for the husband, Others for the wife; gen
errally however, the husband receives the
greater number. After the bridal couple
have received the gifts with their own
hand, they invite the guests again into the
house to partakc of refreshments; dancing
follows this, lasting late into the evening,
when all depart, having given thanks to
the young husband for his kind entertain
ment; but before the night has passed they
return with continuous serenades, which
last until daybreak; with this the entire
ceremony is ended, and the young couple
are left to themselves. The festivities
twenty years ago often lasted several days,
varying according to the wealth of the
people married, but now two days is con-
sidered as the customary limit, Asarule,
they commence on "Wednesday, giving the
rest of the week to the guests to prepare
themselves for recommencement of their
labors on the following Monday,
|
MEDICAL SCIENCE IN CHINA.-The
Chinese pharmacopeia is varied and curl
Gus, according to an interesting account in
the Madras Standard. Hero are few
of the most favorite Celestial remedies.
Leeches are not utilized alive, but dried
and boiled down in spirits for outward ap-
plicatious. Toads, prepared in various
ways, but particularly toad's venom" !"
| obtained hv irr;tat;no stba animal ,,;th