The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-02-01
Courtship in Russia.

Ihe Countess NOrrlnkOW, OF OC. re-
tersburg, Russia, has been making the
tour of the States during the last six
months, and has been stopping in Brook
lyn at the house Of a friend for two or
three weeks before departing for her
home. Speaking to telegram reporter
of courtship in Russia, she said:
II will tell you story of love-making
in Russia In this my country men and
women differ somewhat from the Ameri-
cans and those Of some other climes.
They are inclined to be little more
demonstrative, less given to concealing
The feelings of the heart, and less in
clined to regard money as necessary
consideration in the settlement of affairs
of the heart. When Russian girl loves
she loves with her whole heart aud be-
ing. Her love surmounts every obstacle.
ut is the custom of Russian young
folks to meet together by appointment
in the long, stormy winter evenings, Sc
lecting the house of each by turn. The
evenings pleasure begins by the young
men inviting their fair friends to join
them in forming a circle. This done,
they all join in singing, after which one
of the girls selects her young gentlemen
-(moi miloi) my love, as she calls him
and leads him to the middle of the Cir
Gle; then walks back and forth, chanting
love song, in which the rest Of the
guests join.
"Next in turn come the young men,
who each select 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 made the youth, ac-
companied by some member of his family,
proceeds to the home of his lady love
and there makes known his errand to the
girls parents.
"The mother, not at all surprised, usu'
ally reads the young man a long lecture
on the duties and burdens of married
life, bewailing all the Ills and speaking
of but few of the blessings, and ends by
declaring that her daughter is too young
to marry yet and be given over to the
cruel tyranny of husband. All this is
but q 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 rather unwilling assent, with the
proviso if the father is willing. This is q
needless precaution on her part, for, as q
rule, the father is only too willing to ease
himself of the burden of the daughters
support.
''All this time the poor victim is In
the next room, where she has heard every
word and understands her mothers tac-
tics perfectly we'll. All preliminaries ar
ranged between lover and mother the
daughter is called in to receive the ma.
ternal blessing, instead 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 de-
clares she has no wish to change it. The
daughter finally yields her consent.
''1he young people then kneel to re-
ceive the paternal blessing, which is
given with a great deal of ceremony,
after which the priest is called upon 10
bcstow his blessing, which is very beauti,
full and impressive: and at the end nc
places ring on the hand of each. This
concludes the engagement ceremony,
after which tea is served and all the neigh
bors are called in to join in the festivi'
ties.
1.-THE engagement ceremonies con
cluded, the lovers are then free to make
their own arrangements in rega d to the
time and place Of marriage. They visit
and receive friends and are considered al
most the same as married."