The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-26
A CHINEsEoWIsDDi No.
A.mow and n Lovely DnuGhter ~ the FiOwery
Kingdom Married In Shanghai.

Kingdom Married In Shanghai.
rom ne sha,-,Aa, Hsr,n
The interesting ceremony of Chinese
wedding was performed in the presence OF
large numbers of foreigners Of both sexcs
The bridegroom was the second son Oi A-mOw,
tho wcll-knqwn siorckeepcr on the French set.
tlenent. and the bride was tho daughter Of a
family Of some estate Reading IN tho native
city Of Shanghai They are only II years OF
age. Tho decoration ~ tho promises for tho
occasion was carried out on an extensive scale.
and, M tho wedding took places at o'clock in
the evening, the OBJECT was much heightened by
the inevitable Chinese lantern. OF divere colors
and shapes. suspended from bowers Of ever.
greens and nOwers. arranged upon trellisod
bambOo5. Several rooms IN The slOro wore pre-,
pared for the accommodation Of the guests. and
II stand outside was erected for the convenience
of tho musicians and singers.
Tho bride was httired sumptuOusy In pnrt-
colored brocadcd satin ovorgarfncnt which was
OF course surmOuntcd by the red cotton bridal
veil covering the whole head and face and hang
ing eomo distance down, boing, however.
slightly open at tho sides TO permit OF easier
breathing. The fashion Of this ntti was that
Of centuries ago-th top OF the headdross Oulg-
ing out in form very similar to that seen in AN;
ceient pictures OF lsraeltish prcsls., Around
this she wore golden coronct. studded with
pearls. Ameth ysts. and rubies. whilo pendant
rom il. were numerous ,stri9gs OF long glass
beads Of several colors. the whole presenting
novel. II not altogether charming, effect.
The bridegroom was clad x th9 ombroldored
trayed not the slightest anxiety to lit the veil
that concealed tho brides face. but, with sto-
lidity remarkable in ono so young. allowed the
by the old women go-powcens with much res.
ignaion. They placed the bride to the right OF
the foot OF the family altar and the bridegroom
at her left hand. both knccling.
IL may not be amiss 10 explain how the bride
reached her father-in-law's house, where the
nuptlals are always celebrated. On tho day
which has been found by tho fortune tellors MS
being propitous for the event, tho bridegroom
sets out Tor tho house oi his irrespective father
in-law; but he Is always met ON tho way thithcr
by an emissnry, who entrcnts MIN to return TO
his own home and not waste his time In seek
pf % "A IL IA \
future wife's father. At length. persuaded Of
this, lac returns homo and sends the bridal
chair. accompanied by four. eight. twelve. or
sixteen grOomsmcn. rs the cnae may be. to ask
for tho bride. Tho bridal chair Is SINE qua non
OF the wedding ceremony. While the grOOms-
men are being fcasted the bride Is subjected to
the little martyrdom Of having some of her front
hair pulled out ana her iorehend expanded TO
that mutronly form which Is often seen in tho
case of amahs.
The groomsmon having urged the impotence
! Of the groom. and the longing with which he ls
| looking forward to the happy hour. they take
! their departure, and the bride II IUd iOrth 10
! hrr parents family hall To- worship her Huces-
tors-those lares Of the Chinese family religion
| and her parents. the detics ihcarnate Ol this
| cult At the termination OF these simple rites.
| lanterns, the torches, the rcd umbrella-lmiia-
| ton Of Muudurln's turnuut-ths numerous
boxes and trunks, bed clothes and utensils IN.
| dcscrihable. all SHINING bright anu red, That
| form tho makeup of n bridal procession, arc
! familiar To- every foroign resident AT the
| bridrgroom's house. the family altar, rs above
! stated. had been prepared Two candles. the
| nuptial tapers. one covered with green and the
other with red Grape, were lying on the altar
! front the object oil which Will be presently ok
Inc bride was received at her new home with
| a salute Of ilrt crackers AMI music; nud the
! chair was deposited. with its devoted occupant
| inside the entrance 10 the hail. Tut at tho rear
| Of the altar Tho chair poles were then re-
moved aud the female bridal attendants, u clHss
| ot women who in China. make weddings q
matter of trade, took their station at the door ol
! the chair and assisted the groOm's mother In
| examining tho door itself. The origin OF this
| examination was tne custom tlong since eX-
| plodedl OF sealing the cato OF the chair To- make
! sure that tho bride bargHined !or had not been
| changed during the transit from her house Il
that of her husband. and an interior speclmon
! Of womnnkind substituted. In tho Wedding
| under notice. the supposed seals being found
uniniurcd. the mother retired, tho nuptia
tapers were lighted. and the bridal attendants
led the bride 10 the righth hand side Ot the altar
and tho groom was informed she had left th'
chair.
In obedience to the call of the Master OF Cerc
monies. the pair knelt and wOrshippcd nrs
heaven and ehrth-thc Chinese Ideal OF wed
ded union from which all things have been Dori
| into existence. They then wOrshipped the AN
cestors OF the bridegroom: next his parents
each IN their turn shadowlng forth the neare
or more remote fountain Of existence like IN
Spirit Of God moving upon tho laco oil IN
Tho second net was begun by two OF th
grOomsmen (both OF whose parents must sti
be alive. rs uthorWise they are not qualified
taking tho nuptial tapcrs 10 light the way, tn
groom gently drawing the bride by the red an
| green pieces Of Grape referred To- before 70 ~
| bower tuHt hdd b"tn provided Tor her. ArrlN
| ing in the uuItial chamber they both sat on Ia
edge of the bod. and the bridegroom softly LITE
the edge of the bridal veil, and 80 Obtained tn
! first peep ~ his Wilrs features. The iemhle al
tehdants then Immediately put the veil alto
gcthcr aside. and tho bridegroom immrdlatrl
| resigned h Is bride t. the care of the femnle nj
tendAnis who took OIL the veil and brides core
net und antique dress. and proceeded 10 ARA
her in the gurb ot a fashionable lady ot ia
present DAY. The fresh toilet completed. "a
bridegroom once moro led her forth uhNcilo
to bee iuS prct"d by parents. relatives ana guests
alter which she retired To- the hrida. chambe
and the groom remained behind 10 attend I
the wants Of the Visitors.
Feasting then became The order ~ the ever
! ing champagne. shamshu. aud other liquor
flowing in abundance. Many ~ the quests Vie
tied tho bride IN the nuptlal chamber, whor" I'll
received them seated on the bed. which va
a very handsome piece OF furniture. The ~.
ceedings were kept M TIL q late hour, and WEI
resumed ON Wednesday and Thursday night
though not 10 such AN eXtent. hut We arc cred
hly Informed thnt. taken altogether. there Wei
not less than COO guests present.