The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-04-20
A CHINESE WEDDING.
A Curious Procession In Hong kong-How
the CeIestials Get Married.


had not been to the hotel here in Hong
Kong five minutes before my attention was
distracted by horrible noise. writes cor
RESPONDENT OF the New Orleans Times
Democrat. Rushing TO the front balcony.
| was lust in time to see quite remarkable
wedding procession. At first, from the
noise and general style OF the affair, |
thought it was n funeral, but | soon dis
covered the difference. A funeral process
sion Is a more cheerful institution than a
wedding-with the possible exception,
perhaps, OF the hired mourners. Besides
this there Is one other difference: the
corpse a. a wedding Is live one instead OF
a dead one. | think il | had my choice 1
would rather be the dead than the live
corpse.
The inieriority OF the female sex Is one
OF the fundamental principles to which the
Chinese hold. Even Confucius does not
seem TO have had Il very broad and ele-
waited sentiment in this regard, for he is
quoted as having said "'Of all people,
women are the most difficult to manage.
II YOU are familiar with them they become
forward, and IL you keep them at q dis.
lance they become Disconnected" Many
women here are in the habit OF praying
that they may be born men in the next
world.
But this wedding procession. FIRST
came dozen musicians, who were beating
gongs and blowing fish-horns. each appa-
rently without any reference to the rest.
Then followed a company OF men and boys
bearing flags and lanterns, after which
came q series Of gilded tables with elabo-
rately-caryed and painted canopes over
them. and all sorts Of estables upon them.
The display OF fruits was quite tempting,
and I longed for slice OF the roast pig
and the roast sheep. But there was also
native dishes which by experiment L bad
previously found TO be far iiom appetIzing.
Thus far everything was arranged as fIl-
neral procession would be, and was COM
posed Of the same features.
But now there was n slight departure
from the funeral order OF this society.
There came a magnificent sedan chair, the
windows Of which were thoroughly cur
tanned, but which was told contained the
happy (?) bride. This gorgeous sedan chair
was followed by others, and also by gaily-
decorated iinrikishas, in which were seated
the relatives OF both the contracting par
ties. More so-called musicians followed,
and the procession wound UP with load
OF boxes, which, inferred, contained the
marriage offerings, and perhaps the trous-
seau OF the bride.
In the north OF Mongolia it Is customary
for the native to capture bis wife after
chase, and IN any part OF the en-
pire the latter becomes his property
when the twain have formally been made
one flesh. Marriage usually takes place at
an immature age. In the great majority OF
cases the bridegroom never sees his In
tended wife until the wedding-night, all
negotiations being conducted by go-be-
tweens. This intercessor lays the suit be-
fore the girls father, who rejects or en-
courages 1t Just as he pleases. In case OF
favorable response, presents are exchanged,
and after consulting the auguries, an en-
gagement Is entered into. In case
a piece OF chinaware should be broken
In either home, or an article De
lost within three days OF the engagement,
this is considered good ground Tor the I'M
mediate dissolution Of the engagement.
Astrologers determine the wedding-day,
which IL entirely beyond the control OF the
pair. The ceremony takes place at the
home Of the bridegroom, to which the
bride IL escorted by the groom's % best
man." being lifted from her sedan chair
over pot OF burning charcoal at the
threshold.
The bridegroom, mean while, Is waiting
for his unseen dulcinea IN q reception
room, being seated on q raised dais. APP
preaching this dais the fair one prostrates
herself humbly before her future lord
While she Is in this attitude OF humility
he descends benignantly to her level; re-
moves her veil, and gazes for the trst time
upon her face. Then, without exchanging
a word, they seat themselves side by side
and each try to sit on part oil the Others
gown, in order to determine who Is des'
tined to hold sway In the household
There Is no real occasion for this, since
there Is tacit understanding that 1t viii
be the man.
The trial Of skin over. the pair proceed
to the ancestral ball and there WORSHIP
heaven, earth. aud their ancestors, ate
which dinner Is served. The most singu
! lar feature Of the wedding repast Is en-