The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-03-10
RUSSIAN CouRTsHIPs.
now Girls Are wooed and won In IN
Muscovite Empjre.

Now Girls Are Wooed and Won In TN
Muscovite Empire.
The Countess Norrigkow. Of st.
Petersburg, Russia, has been maxim,
the tour Of the States during the last
six months, and has been stopping in
Brooklyn at the house of friend fol
two or three weeks before departing
for her home. Speaking to reporter
of courtships in Russia she said:
n will tell you o story of love.
making in Russia. In this my country
men and women differ somewhat from
the Americans and those of othei
climes. They are inclined to be little
more demonstrative. less given to con.
cealing the feelings of tho heart, and
less inclined to regard money as u
necessary consideration in the settle
ment of affairs of the heart. When
Russian girl loves she loves with her
whole heart and being. Her love sur
mounts every obstacle.
ut is the custom of Russian young
folks to meet together by appointment
in the long. stormy winter evenings,
selecting the house of each by turn.
The evenings pleasure begins by the
young men inviting their fair friends
to join thcm in forming II circle. This
done. they all join in singing, after
which one of the girls selects her young
gontlenan-(moi miloi) my love, as
she calls him--and leads him into tho
middle of the circle; then walks back
and forth chanting n love song. in
which the rest Of the guests join.
Next in turn come the young men.
Each select Il partner and go through
the same performance, the whole affair
terminating with dancing, after which
each swain escorts the object of his
choice to her home, When the time
arrives for declaration to be mado
the youth, accompanied by some men,
Der of his family. proceeds to the home
of his lady love and there makes known
his errand to the girls parents.
1.-The mother, not ut all surprised,
usually reads the young man long
lecture on the duties and burdens of q
married life. bewailng all the ills and
speaking of but few of the blessings.
and ends by declaring that her daugh-
ter is too young to marry yet and bo
given over to the cruel tyranny of Il
husband. All this is but custom
which must be observed. that the young
man may not think his bride too easily
won. A stirring appeal from the suitor
follows and the mother finally gives II
rather unwilling assent. with the pro-
viso. if the father is willing This is o
needless precaution on her part, for. as
rule, the father is only too willing to
ease himself of the burden of the daugh-
ter's support.
"All this time the poor victim is in
the next room, where she has heard
every word. and understands her
mothers tactics perfectly well. All
preliminaries arranged between lover
and mother, the daughter is called in
to receive the maternal blessing, in
stead of which she falls on her knees
before her mother, praying not to be
taken from her. She describes the
beauties of her virgin life, and declares
she has no wish to change it. Tho
daughter finally yields her consent.
1.-The young people then knecl to re-
ceive the patcrnal blessing, which is
given with great deal of ceremony,
after which the priest is called upon to
bestow his blessing. which is very
beautiful and impressive. and ut the
end he places u ring on the hand of
each. This concludes the engagement
ceremony, after which tea is served and
all the ncighbors are called in to join
in the festivities.
1.-The engagement ceremony con-
cluded, the lovers are then free to make
their own arrangements in regard to
the time and place of marriage. They
visit and receive friends, and are con-
si,lered almost the same as married. y
NJ Y Telegram.