The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-08-05
INDIAN MATCHMAlI
GONSUMATE TACT AND SKILL OF
THE HlNDoO GHATUCK.

Matrimonial Go-Between.
The ghatuck, or matchmaker, is gener-
ally Brahim of high order-a man OF ap-
parent learning, compliant manners, and
invariably of great persuasive powers. his
disposition is as amiable as his occupation
Is pleasant. His strength lies in the use of
the particular kind Of tact and skill neces-
sary for all Intermediates, and he is not
much affected by scruples Of conscience.
Genealogy and pedigree are his specially.
He can repeat eve -ybod y's fathers, grand
fathers, great-gralA Adfathers names, and SO
on to thirteenth generation; and he has
at his fingers ends all about their caste,
gotra or tribe, their quality and position,
and the hundred other details about winch
the Hindoos are very particular. The
ghatuck has great pretensions to know
ledge of Sanskriu, though on the first test
he breaks down. But it does not in the
least matter to him He has. a stock Of
Sanskrit phrases and commonplaces stored
up in his memory; and these he delivers
In SO mastery fashion that the ordinary
folk cape at him with wonder.
NEGOTIATING A MARRIAGE.
There comes of morning Brahmtn
ghatuck to the house of his patron, whose
sons marriage he is negotiating. He has
@ tall thin face, with the lilac or caste-
mark on his high forehead, large round
eyes of calm, meditative cast, though
betraying in their cornefs an unusually
sly expression, finely turned eye brows,
an aquiline nose, and beardiess chin.
His placid cauntenance has a certain
charm, and his look inspires respect for
his talents and confidence In MS abilities.
After the usual exchange of salutatlons
the master of the house asks the ghatuck
whether everything is all right, and how
he finds the girl; upon which the latter
answers in this style: ayes, sir, every
thing is all right. The girl is beautiful as
the full moon; even the moon has spots,
but she is spotless and peerless. Her
teeth are sparkling, like the seeds OF
pomegranate; her arched, bright, black
eyes beat those of Kama (Hindoo Cupid;
her voice is sweet, like that ofa cuckoo;
her gait is dignified and graceful, like
that of an elephsnt;.and, as to her figure,
know nothing to compare 1t with. She
Is intelligent, like the goddess Saraswatl
Ninuco Minerva), and talks like Lakshmi
(the goddess Of fortune), and Will GER
tainly bring bright fortune to any family
she may be connected with
With twinkle in his eye, his patron
interrupts him with the question whether
the girl really Is handsome and Intelligent;
&hsn the ghatuck bursts forth: "Ram,
Drrga, Han, silva, Brahma, Vishnoo-do
yGd think am joking with your A man
like me, descended from Brahma himself,
never jokes. Satyam eva iayate-truth Is
eyer victorious. Why, sir, ySu would aot
trd such perfect match for your nople
Soa in these three worlds. Aud then the
GIRLS p.rents are willing to bestow such a
iM of things as her dowry-a whole house
bold OF things. What can you have
betterP"
The conversation goes on in this style
until the hesitations Of the parent are
Overcome. The matchmaker, well satis-
fed with his performance, departs for, the
,Boroe u the lady. There l.e representa- -ss.s-
young man to be beautiful like Kartic
(the god of beauty; his manners are
those of nobleman; he Is free from oil
vices; he studies day and night. In short,
he is.a precious gem-an ornament OF his
country.
SETTLEMENT OF THE LAST POINT.
To the questions whether the young
man has passed any university examine
lions, whether he holds any scholarship,
end what degree he has taken, the CHA
tuck replies: "He has not passed any ex-
animation yet; but what does that mat
teH Bless his dear soul, he will pass all
his examinations in three years; and then
his parents are 80 rich and have promised
to give such mass Of priceless ornament
and jewelryr Then comes q difficulty on
the settlement Of the last point; or the
mother OF the girl grumbles at the boy not
fayinS passed any examination as yet. Or
Serbaps somebody has whispered to the
Young uaan's mother that the young girls
Ioss is rather chubby. The CHA
suck, well prepared to meet these
difficulties, fits backward and for
ward; and after the fullest display
Of his arts and powers, and good
deal Of higgling on both sides. he manages
to bring the negotiations to successful
termination He Is amply paid for his
services, though often lifelong curses of
ell the parties concerned form his chief re-
ward.
The remuneration OF the ghatuck Is not
fixed; It depends upon the sort Of match
be makes and upon the quality and posi-
tion Of the families he unites. At a mid
dle.class wedding he gets from e2 to e3,
besides presents; from. rich families he
gets about e5, besides presents worth
about el0. Some matchmakers have been
known to make fortunes and buy estates.
II O ghatuck can secure an educated and
weu-to-do young man for a poor, common
looking girl he Is immensely paid for his
services by the parents of that girl. On
the contrary, If the bride or bridegroom
turns out to be the reverse Of what she
or he WAS represented, the ghatuck has
only the &w rupees he got before the
marriage for all his reward, with shower
Of blows from the male members of the
family thrown in.
OF late years female matchmakers are
taking the place of the male ones in some
df the large towns. Having free access to
che inner apartments Of house-a privi-
lege their male rivals can never expect to
eu3py-they can reach the ladies, who
necessarily have great influence in all