The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1883-07-26
A CHINESE WEDDING.

NAANECE NEDBlNUs
Notes from Recent Letter Written by
Naval Omcer at Hong Kong to His Father.l
OF course YOU know that the social
life Of the Chinese is entirely different
from ours. In no way is this difference
more marked than in the manner of be-
trothal and in the rite of marriage In
some cases children are betrothed as
soon as born; others at more advanced
age, say from eight to nine years; but /
am told that this custom is on its last
legs so many unhappy marriages
have arisen from this practice that pa
rents are loath to engage their children
before finding out some of the attributes
Of the proposed husband. When the
contract is once made only leprosv or
physical disability can annul it. When
their children are ten twelve years
old the parents gre taxed with the aux-
lous task of finding them suitable part
ners for life. The betrothal is entirely
IN their hands. 1t is arranged through
the medium of class of persons who
make it their business to find out every
thing concerning the families of mar
rlageable parties and the characters
and dispositions Of eligible young men
ana women. Their profession is con-
sidered highly honorable. Great conf
dence is reposed in their Judgment and
veraeity As their employment de-
ponds TO great extent upon their repu-
tation, they have every fnducement to
act on the square
Both men and women are EMPLOYED
TO conduct these negotiations The 20
betweens are termed mei-jui Six steps
are taken before "a regular marriage
The father and elder brother of the
young man first send q nlCj-jVi to the
father and brother of the girl to ask her
name, and to ascertain the moment of
her birth, so that the horoscope of the
Two may be examined, to find ont
whether the proposed alliance will be a
10
taken. The boys friends send the co
between back and make an offer of mar
rage If that be accepted the girls
friends are requested TO put their assent
ln writing. Presents are then sent to
the girl parents. If the parties are
wealthy they are valuable. The go-be- |
tween next requests the parents of the
girl To chose a lucky day for the we'd
dung. The prelimiuaries are then con-
Guided by the bridegroom either going
. OF sending party of his friends with |
music to bring his bride to her new
home.
These wedding ceremonies cost a
great deal of money. 1t would break !
small merchant if he had to marry of
more than two of his children i'm one I
year. The parents 90 into the thino i'm !
royal style; and If there is not money /
enough in tho till to carry on the cere- |
mony with proper eclat they will either
mortgage their property or borrow
7 Y
time of the engagement until the mar
rage the young lady is required to
maintain the strictest seclusion. When
ever friends call on her parents she must
retire mt once to the inner apartment
she Is allowed to visit only her relatives.
and then when she goes out she must
use closed sedan chair They have no
dealings with the world. They must
treat even their brothers and sisters
with g,eat reserve. The rich maiden
To oiN bs,y.i
formation concerning her intended, and
the outside world generally. In rare
instances the parties are allowed to see
each other The principal formalities
of marriage are the same all over
China, but local customs are observed
IN some portions of the empire which
would appear very singular at the can
ital. The marriage gifts are frequently
very costly. This, however, depends 4
upon the circumstances of the bride
groom. There are always presents of
some kind.
On the wedding day the guests assem- |
bic in the bridegroom's house. Then
procession is formed, consisting of
friends, bands of music and sedan chairs
decorated in red and gold, with bear
ers in red coats, and dressed in n sort
of livery, sometimes wearing red caps
The procession starts from the house (
with n courier ut the head He bears
a large piece of pork on a tray, 10 keep I
ING on the street corners and in the al /
leys. The demons are supposed to /
tackle the pork, and while they are thus {
busted the procession passes on without /
being affected by their evil influence /
All this time the bride is at her own /
house, arraysng herself in her best dress 4
and richest Jewels Her hair is bound I
up and arranged in due form and /
style by a skilled matron. After this /
her head-dress is donned. 1t usually \
consists of some rich material sprinkled /
with ornaments large mantle is [
then thrown over her. 1t completely /
covers her. Last of all an enormous /
hat, rs large as an umbrella. is placed I
on her head 1t comes down to her
shoulders, completely hiding her face
Thus rugged. she takes her seat in the +
rcd gilt marriage chair called ktCG kiQU.
When concealed in this chair she is car
ried TO her husband by four men These
marriage sedanS are very expensive.
Il costs twenty Mexican dollars to hire
one OF the best for a procession. The
Commoner ones run as low rs ten dol
lars. They have no Window, the only
ventilation being through an opening
nj the top. The space is so confined
that poor girl in marriage parapher-
malta must be pretty well squeezed
Wheu she arrives Rt her future home.