Wichita eagle., 1886-10-22
9ai11@ eagle
INDIAN MATCHMAKING.
CONSUMATE TACT AND SKILL OF
THE HlNDOO GAATucK.

Man Of Apparent Learning, Complain,
How Marriage Is Negotiated by the
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 eyerybo; VS. fathers, grand
fathers, ,great-grandfather's names, anu So
on to thirteenth generation; and he mas
at his fingers ends all about their caste,
gotra or tribe, their quality and position,
and the hundred other details q utWhlch
the Hindoos are very particular. The
ghatuck has great preteUsions to know
ledge Of Sanskrit, though on the first test
he breaks down. But it does not in the
least matter to him He has stock OF
Sanskrit phrases and commonplaces stored
up in his memory; and these he delivers
in SO mastery fashion that the ordinary
folk gape at him with wonder
NEGOTIATING MARRIAGE.
There comes Of morning Brahmin
ghatuck to the house Of his patron, whose
sons marriage he is negotiating. He has
4 tall, thin face, with the lilac or caste
mark on his high forehead, large, round
eyes OF q calm, meditative cast, though
betraying in their corners an unusually
sly expression, finely turned eye brows,
an aquiline nose, and q beardless chin.
HIS placid countenance has q certain
charm, and his look inspires respect for
his talents and confidence in his abilities.
After the usual exchange of salutations
the master OF the house asks the ghatuck
whether everything is ell right, and how
he finds the girl; upon which the latter
answers in this style: Yes, 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 a
pomegranate; her arche1, bright, black
eyes beat those OF Kama (Hindoo Cupid;
her voice is sweet, like that Of q cuckoo;
gait IS dignified and graceful like
-i.a- 4 an elephant; and, as to her figure,
know nothing 30 compare it with. She
is intelligent, like the goddess Saraswati
fHindCo Mincrva), and talks ike Lakshmi
Ae goddess of fortune), and will GER
aly bring bright fortune to any family
r II be connected with
smith q twinkle in his eye. his patron
interrupts him with the question whether
the girl really is handsome and Intelligent;
then the ghatuck bursts forth: "Ram,
.Ourga, Hapi, silva, Brahma, Vishnoo-do
you think am joking with you? A man
Like me, descended from Brahma himself,
lever jokes. Satyam eva iayate-truth is
ever victorious. Why, sir, you would not
find such a perfect match for your noble
son IN these three worlds. And then the
girls parents are willing to bestow such a
lot Of things as her dowry-a whole house
hold of things What can you have
better?7
The conversation goes on in this style
until the hesitations Of the parent are
overcome. The matchmaker, well salts
fed with his performance, departs for the
house of the lady. There he represents the
young man to be beautiful Ike 1<artic
(the god Of beauty; his manners are
those of 4 nobleman; he is free from all
vices; he studies day and night. In short,
he is q precious gepl-an ornament or his
country.
SETTLEMENT or THE LAST POINT.
an has passed any university eyamina-
Hons, whether he holds any scholarship,
and what degree he has taken, the CHA
tuck replies: He has not passed any ex-
animation yet; but what does that ms.-
ter? Bless his dear soul, he viii pass al
his examinations in three years; land then
his parents are ssrich and have promised
to give such = mass Of priceless ornaments
and jewelryy' Then comes a difficulty on
the settlement of the last point; or the
motker OF the girl grum blas 1T the boy not
having passed any eXamination as yet. Or
perhaps somebody has whispered 10 the
young mans mother that tlie young girls
nose is rather chabbC. The CHA
tuck, well prepared to meet these
difficulties, fits backward and for
ward; and after the fullest display
Of his arts AMI powers, and good
nj OF hig-iing or both sides, he manages
orin. the negotiations to 4 successful
termination. lie is amply paid FOR his
services, though often lifelong curses Of
all the parties concerned form his chief re-
ward
The remuneration OF the ghatuck is not
fixed: il depends upon the sort OF match
he makes and upon the quality and posi-
tion of the families ne laiites. At mid
dle-cla5s weddin, he gets from - TO 3,
besides presents; from rici families he
cets about -. besides presents worth
about go Some matchmakers have been
known To make fortunes and buy estates.
ia cha:uck saa secure an educated and
wcl.-todo young man fora poor, common
looking girl he is immensely paid for his
services by the parents. Of that girl. On
The contrary, il the bride or bridegroom
turns oat TO be the reverse OF what she
ur'hc was represented, the shatuck has
only the few rupees he got before the
marriage fer al lis reward, with shower
OF blows from the made members OF the
family thrown in.
Of LAKE years female matchnahers are
taking ,he place of the mae ones in some
cf the large towns. Having free access to
the inner apartments of a house-a priyi-
lece their male rivals can never expect TO
cnioy-they can reach the ladies, who
necessary have great influence in all
marriages Naturally sharper M wit and
raore'glib of tongue. their finesse and sub
lle;y have been known to -overccme all
difficulties where their mail competitors
have failed. Cor. st. James Ga
zette.
>oci:.l Gradaticns frr England.
William II. Rideing, wrnins wiitliS OF