The Brookhaven leader., 1884-04-03


dover is also sent at the same time.
This sum varies from S20 to $500.
For ride VINO is fat and pretty and
money will be asked which only q rich
man can give. This money, however,
must be all faithfully spent by she
brides mother in providing her trous-
seau, household furniture, ETC., the
bridegroom being only expected to find
the bare apartments of their future
home.
wEEPING AND wAILING.
For few days before the wedding
day the young lady, who has already
been told of the approaching event,
gives vent to her grief in orthodox fash
ion by loud bellowings night and day.
The weeping damsel expresses at inter-
walls in conventional phrases the sense
of desolation she feels at the near pros
pect of being torn forever from her
parents and her childhood's home. The
writer remembe s being kept awake for
hours by the walls and shrieks Of
distracted virgin who was
going to be married next day.
1t is on this last night that the
maiden tries on her bridal dress. lights
incense before the shrine of her ances-
tors and prostrates herself in farewell
worship before her assembled parents,
uncles and aunts. At last the dread
full day arrives. The fair one rises early.
bathes perhaps for the first time for two
or three months, arranges her hair in
matronly style, puts on her br dal gar
ments of gorgeous red silk or stuff,
sometimes richly embroidered, and
heavy coronet-like head-dress brilliant
with real or imitation pearls and
precious stones, velvet tassels and firing
es, and gold or gilt trappings, which
jingle at every step she takes. Her
toilet is completed by the large red
veil of silk or cotton. which completely
covers her face from view. 1t is con-
sidered good form to resist the services
of her attendants with loud screams
and expostulations, any such thing as
submission on her pat being sure TO
be construed by her chatting brides
maids into an immodest joy at the near
approach of wedlock.
THE BRIDEGROOM wAITETH.
The bridegroom remains at home
with his friends. He is arrayed in silks
and satins, embroidered accord ng TO
his rank, red scarf crosses his breast
and brilliant wedding cab is worn on
his head. He seats himself in glorious
state ava ting the coming of the bride.
He has already dispatched an elegant
bridal sedan, richly gilded and en-
ameled, decorated with kingfsher's
III ta1 x.,,t
carvings, which he has hired for the
occasion. 1t Is carried by half dozen
men IN red tun cs and follows in the
rear of the procession. 1t is preceded
by gilded pavilons and canopies, red
boards with gilt characters represent
ing the academical degrees and impe
rial honors conferred upon the BRIDE
groom or his ancestors; grand lanterns,
splendidly carved and painted, ban
ners, huge fans and state umbrellas ac-
cord ny to the rank of the bridegroom
father. The bearers, equerr,es and mu
sicians that swell the train are all draped
in red robes and the whole process
sion marches along amids. the beating
of drums, the elias of cymbals and the
screams of clarionets. The procession
arrives at the brides house and is
greeted by the dismal howls of females
within. A letter written by her hus-
band is now handed to the bride, in
forming her that the fiowery sedan Is
waiting at her. door and inviting her to
set out for her new home. Then come
sundry exhortations fir m her pareuts,
exchange of coed wishes, protracted
partings. choking soes and vehement
protestations from the bride against
being taken from her )me. This hol-
low farce is broken up by a bridesm nd
casting the veil over the face of the
lugubrious bride, while an old hag
takes her upon h back in ign min GUS
fashion, carrying her out of the door and
sett ng her down in the sedan-chair.
The door of the conveyan is then
locked and the key handed to the
bridegroom's friend. The bands then
strike up ami the procession returns
am DIST farewell salvos of bombs ard
fire-crackers, the wonder being that
any bride can survive such an infer.
nal din.
COMPLETION OF THE CEREMONY.
Arriving at ths door of her new
home, she is saluted with more fire
crackers. The bridegroom now comes
forth with all that digniEed bearing and
easy carelessness so natu al to we'll
bred Chinaman, and taps the door of the
chair with his fan. The door is then
opened and the bride, still thickly
yelled from profane gaze, is again { ar
ried on the back of female attendant
into her husbands house. She is now
a wife, the simple ride in the tlowery
chair having the mystic power of trans
forming her into q married woman.
The bridegroom now seats himself on
a high chair and receives the homage of
his dutiful spouse. He then des lends,
raises her heavy vel. and for the first
time gazes upon the face OF the girl to
whom he has been engaged for the last
ten or fifteen wears. There follows no
rapturous embrace, no word Of tender
endearment, no look that speaks OF
love. He simply inspects her for "a
few moments as he would some piece
of furniture, for she is nothing more to
him. Sometimes this ceremony OF un-
yelling takes place in the bridal cham
Der, where they seat themselves side by
side, he contriving to sit upon part OF
her dress, signifying h s control and her
submiss on. We take one glimpse of
the nuptial couch, hung with slips OF
paper with such ins ,riptions as. MAY
YOU have 100 sons and 1,C01 grand
sons" and adorned with orange trees
and strings of cash, the symbols OF
f,-,;tf,,inaas Heaven and earth. house,