Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-06-21
A Parsee Wedding.

wealthy Parsee is a very brilliant
and picturesque affair." Such a feast
is described as follows in Rouse
let's 'India" "Cowasiee's resi-
dence was in the centre of large gar
den, which had been Illuminated to the
brightness of day. The alleys we're
lighted up with lustres, and the trees
were covered with fruit and flowers of
fire. Scarcely had l entered this en-
chanted spot when I found myself in
the midst OF q great assemblage of
Parsee gentlemen, who, in their GER
emonlal robes, long, white, and flowing,
were walking about engaged In CONVEX
sation with each other. Their presence
in this, the costume of the ancient Per
slams, gave to the scene an Asiatic char
acter, in which of Itself it was som ewhat
wanting. | was kindly received by
them, numerous hand-shakings were
exchanged, and, joining their party, I
followed them into the house. Here
found Cowasjee, who conducted me
into richly-furnished room, where the
ceremony was to take place. The dus-
tours inferior priests), in full dress,
were standing In circle, and already
recltlng their monotonous pslamodies,
while IN the meantime good military
band, stationed in the veranda, was
giving us waltzes and quadrilles When
all the guests were ranged around the
vast apartment, the band was ordered
to cease playing, and chief dastour
began the nuptial hymn in that nasal
tone of which the clergy of all religions
have the exclusive privilege. The
priests formed in order, and went to
meet the happy couple, who entered by
one of the principal doors. The young
bridegroom, all in white, mis- neck
adorned with garland of flowers,
walked by the side of the bride, VINO,
clad in a superb dress of brocade, half
concealed her features from us behind
a veil When they reached the centre
OF the room the two young people
Frustrated themselves; and the chief
dustour having taken his place close to
them, the group was covered with an
immense cashmere shawl, which form
ed a tent, and him them completely.
A moment afterward, when the veil
was withdrawn, the youthful pair we're
man and wife. Then the bride was
surrounded by large circle of Parsee
ladies, congratulating and embracing
AOA, VI "OOPllS III JOy, Vic uuSUdIlU
proceeded to embrace his father and to
shake hands with his friends. After
this curious ceremony, we were invited
to go into the garden, where, beneath
the sombre shade of mango and tam
arind trees, magnificent supper was
awaiting us. The table was covered
with the finest wines, the choicest Eu-
ropean dishes, the most beautiful flow
ers of the tropics, and the Parsees,
without the least hesitation, did honor
to all these delicacies. Strains of Eng
lish and Indian music were alternately
heard; sometimes we were soothed by
a languishing Zuzerati refrain, some
times the lively measures of brilliant
Partisan quadrille burst forth. Toward
IL o'clock we were introduced to the
Parsee ladies. The dresses of many
of them were covered with gold, dia-
monds and jewels, which, under the
influence Of the numerous lustres, pre-
sented strangely variegated and fairy
like appearance. talked with some
of them, who spoke English admirably,
and seemed perfectly to understand
the rules of conversation This blend
ing of Indian and, to all appearance,
almost European manners could not !.
have taken place on a more agreeable
day that that of this fete. and when
the hour of departure arrived, I sin
cerely thanked CoWasjee for his invita-
tiOn