The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1878-03-20
Wedding Suits.
ITEMS OF INTEREST CONCERNING NUP-
TIALs IN WALES, GERMANY,
-. POLAND AND ELSE
49, - WHERE. Ss% A7't1-'l =

POLAND AND ELSE
~ u WHERE. is4' a7a@Nl .
Wedding presents, now so common
lin the first stage ofmatrimony, have
come down from the feudai system,
In almost all parts of the civilized
world such things are given and re.
ceived, and, we might add
expected.
In start in married life certain
necessaries in the way of furniture
napery, crockery. and so on, were al
ways acceptable. Rich people and
feudal lords would not object, On the
bridal of their daughters, to receive
presents from their vassals.
In different countries different
modes. I b e, penny weddings in
Scotland, of which Wilkie gave a
lively and accurate idea in one OF
his domestic paintings, are peculiar.
Invited guests make contributions in
money. One shilling is the general
tribute, and half q crown is prince.
" offering. Out Of the sum thus
collected the not very costly expen
ses of the feast we're paid, and the
surplus went toward buying the
furniture.
In the weddings of the poorer
classes in Ireland this levying contri-
buttons on guests never. takes place,
for, however poor q man may be, his
pride revolts from the appearance OF
poverty on such an occasion. There
is collection, however, to raise the
sum for literally compromising the
clerical gentleman who "has tied the
knot" and in the house of a rich
farmer this swells up to a good
round sum.
In Wales, among the small farmers
and traders, the custom prevails to
this day of "bidding," not single
guests, but whole families, to wed
ding. That such an event is to
come of, with the where and when,
is duly advertised in the local news
paper, with request that all persons
who, in times past, have been SINH.
larly obliged in that manner, will at
tend, bringing presents for the bride
and groom. Besides this, particular
and almost peremptory invitations,
in writing, are sent to each house
hold on whom the to be. welded folks
may have some especial claim for
former generosity under like circum-
stances. Presents of all sorts-food,
furniture,s flour, fuel, table and cham
Der linen-even sheep, lambs, calves,
goats and ponies-are among the
gifts.
In Germany there is the 'spay
wedding" at. which the bride re
ceives her guests with basin before
her, each person depositing jewel,
silver spoon or piece of money, at
the same time apologizing for the
donation being so far below value,
compared with the damsel's deserts.
In some parts Of Germany the rule
is that the expenses of the marriage
feast shall be met by each guest pay
ing for what he eats and drinks
just as if he were in hotel-but not
at fair hotel prices. Thus the enter
tainment sometimes extends over
several days, and the young couple
often realize sum out Of the profits
sufficient to start, them fairly in life.
From one to three hundred guests
are often present throughout these
festivities.
Sometimes the flew Of presents
takes very different course. In Pc
'and a lady is not regarded as eligi-
BILE for double blessedness until she
has wrought with her own hands
cloth and garments for each of her
future lords friends (groomsmen
accompanying him to the altar.
In Norway the clergyman has to
be propitiated with two or three
bladders Of mincemeat, made by the
hands of the bride, and bottle OF
two of brandy. In that country
most presents made on wedding
occasions take the tangible form
of larder supplies, at least among
the peasantry and artisans.-[N New
lOrleans Democrat.
nun nn~ VIC vUsl1 GA