Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-03-03

uaNe uescrlOeu IN previous letter. was
extremely fascinating Il was not less
so when, after We had emptied our
glasses, they we're taken from us by a
deacon who attended upon the clergy.
and who npon receiving them, took ihe
extended hand with which We returned
them in both his own and kissed il
gently on both sides. My com mpaDion
observed in whisper, with dry humor,
that whatever might be the heresies of
the Coptc Church, it's manners were
very taking But he recalled the re.
mark the next moment, when be found
that, having been refreshed with rose
water, he was expected to join his cleri
ca! companions in cigarette. Afie.
tobacco came coffee, and then in the
center OF the room was arranged a
small altar, on which was folio copy of
the Gospels in Coptic, enclosed in a
silver case, richly decorated se
AT this moment there was q noise in
the stFeetwithout, and we we're informed
that It was intended 70 announce the an
proach OF the two bridegrooms We
went to the windows, and leaning out
saw sight not easily forgotten. The
narrow street was crowded with men.
women and boys, and winding up the
court which led to the house from which
we looked down upon it was a process
sion, compos, d Of baud of music pre-
ceded by cawasses Tor policemen and
followed by the brioegrooms and their
friends, The hand was playing with the
utmost vgor, and as il was eonposed OF
several reeds which gave only two or
three notes Of an intensely shrill quality.
and some drums which produced rat
Ting, rasping sound, the effect was
simply deaiening Add to this
the glare OF the torches, the eager
movement Of gaily dressed figures aud
the shouts and cries of the surEing crowd
Of lockers on, aud the whole produced a
confusien Of light and sound that almost
made one dizzy. At this moment |
lifted my eyes for an instant to the dark
face OF building almost directly oppo.
site me, and hanging from the windows
OF It's various stories, like bees, we're
groups Of Mohammedan women, whose
scora or hatred Of the faith Of the Cent
could not make them indifferent to that
most interesting Of events, wedding
In their excitement or curiosity many OF
them had dropped their wells, and | was
a good deal surprised at the intelligence
and vivacity Of their expressions
The band departed for the brides, and
the two brothers we're a moment after
ward ushered into the apartment to await
their coming This young gentlemen
were arrayed 10 partly European and
partly Oriestal costume, the mixed effect
Of which was neither digbiGed nor be-
coming They we're very atfable, how.
ever, and kissed our hands in the IN ,st
devout aud 6lial fashion Soon after their
entrance the precentor or choir leader
appeared, and with him the youthful
deacons and choir boys whs we're to per
form the musical part of the service.
The deacous and choir boys had brought
their vestments with them, and robed;
With IN amouuto Of gigRling. pushing and
whispering, which indicated that they
we're very much like their professional
brothers all over the world. When the
clergy and assistants we're babited, the
subdeacon lighted some candles which
were arranged in a curious caudlestick
having some remote resemblance to a
Greek Cross which stood on the table he.
hind the silver case containing the Cos.
pels. AS their light fell on .ths impFis.
oned volume standing below aud in front
OF them, / noticed for the first time that
the silver case was so riveted together
that there was, apparently, no way OF
obtaining access to- that which it en-
closed; and on approaching nearer and
examining morer closely | found there
was nothing 70 Oh0E that the easket had
been opened tor generation.
Once more our conversation vas Ia
terrupted By shouts and cries from the
street, and as We turned 10 tbs windows
we saw from the torches daming as well |
as from the crowd that attended them,
thss tbs brides we're approaching. As
we leaned out and watched them thread.
ing their way amonR tho motley Assem-.
blage which surrounded them, VS. OBJ
served that each Of them was attended =
protected would baa better word --by q |
stalWart eompsnion OF the Sterner ser,
whe led them along by The shoulders very
much as one would guide ablind child
Indeed, il was evident from their stature
that they we're little more than children,
and on inquiry | found that neither OF
them was over thirteen years Of age
They had not been seen BY the young
men who we're to be their husbands, and
they we're veiled or draped 10 such =
way as to make il impossible 10 infer
aNythinc whatever as to their appear
anee We were wondering as they ap.
preached the door below US, how they
had eurvived the walk from their own
homes 20 the scene Of the wedding,
swathsd as they we're by shswls. which |
covered their heads aud faces and wete
tightly wrapped around their shoulders.
My companion vsnnred to suggest how
easily one may be married TO the wrong
btdesundsr such circumstances, espeoi
ally when IS in this case they wsrS
dressed, so far ~ ooeld bs seen, pre-