The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1884-05-10
MARRIAGE lin CHINA.

MARRIAGE in CHINA.
Curious Courtshsp o. the ceIertlaIs-Ths
wedding ceremonies--Young Men En-
Kaged for Years to Girls whom They
Have Never Seen.
The lad is early reminded chat his
parents want grandchildren as soon and
rs many as possible. His betrothaI
generally takes place when he is from
seven TO twelve years Of age. though
cases have occurred where pref minary
arrangements have been made between
parnuts before their children had seen
the light Of day. A professional class
called 60 betweens, who make their liv-
ing by matchmaking, are employed to
carry on the negotiations between the
two fam lies, the initiative being taken
by the parents of the boy. For the con-
venience Of their clients these go-be-
tweens usually carry in their ockets a
list OF candidates for matrIm0ny. On
being solicited he list is consulted, and
a bride is selected according to the age
Or social position desired, subject, of
course. to heT parents consent. The
go-bctween in whose yeraciiy and good
Judgment implicit confidence Is D. acea.
is required to guarantee the respecta-
bility of the girls fam ", and above all
her freedom from luna.y, leprosv, OF
other hereditary faint. He must give
his word of honor that neither she nor
her parents belong to that pariah class
called play-actols, boat-people and
slaves. The girls parents also insti-
tute similar inquiries If the proposal is
entertained Fortune-tel.ers are con-
suited, astrOlOgers cast the horoscope of
the pair, deceased ancestors are con-
suited and appeals are made to the pa
tron deity of maidens. Should any UNI
lucky omen transpire, such as the break
ing of a tea cup before her eyes, nego-
tiations would@be almost certainly brok-
en- off. The fates are perhaps propi-
t.Ous. Cards are then exchanged, con
tanning such particulars as to the exact
m ment of nth. the name, clan and
condition Of the infant pair, whom all
probability have never yet seen each
other and will not for long years to
come, and are indeed completely obliv-
ious Of these arrangements affecting
their destiny.
NO SENTIMENTAL NONSENSE.
The young people are considerably
rel eyed of the sweet embarrassment Of
htsb iofo- All tue gush oi question
popping, woolng ana lender embraces
are smut PEI ona their sense. they
know nOIning OF quiet Walks ana PIC
mes, o. serenaaes ana tese-a-te g. Ihelr
couftlng ana love-letter writing are
uone Tor tnem by their parents. When
Inc petrotnai y settled the iatner OF The
youth writes a tender epst q to the IA
tner OF tne glri, eXtoiling inc maiden, 8
peaubes ana virtues ana expressing MS
1esire, 70 make her ms son Wlie- MS
ietter y accom- panied py noxes contain
lug cakes, poak, bracelets, earrings, |
hair-pins ana otner presents, on receipt |
OF wnieh sne engagement Is consum-
nlaeeu a.u n9en'ng guy leprosy, iunasy
VI unlalsniuIness can uissolFe the Sa-
S w anu e VI 81 ooIu NeAs uay tne
lau may u,e, Dus me engagement re-
!. sn@ = unpLoAen' ne unIorlunaee glrl,
a sue nlaAss any cla ~ W respecsaDllley;
nus ags,'AIn - virgin willow ooo ~ ~
.s. u..ys. ..s.s ~ 'ue nouse u ms |
loving daughter.in-law. confessinc ever
and anon that her crimes brought the r |
son to premature grave, and MOURN
ing with many lamentations and pseu-
do-grief over tho loss of the unfortunate I
youth. whom she had never so much as
Seen, and perhaps never heard OF.
During the whole period OF her en-
gagement she must keep in close re-
tirement in the back al artments. She /
must be solemnly reserved with the
domestics and even with her own
brothers and sisters. She may not
form any attachments with other girls
he must make no allusi0n whatever to I