The Penn's Grove record., 1888-09-15

Mr.. EDITOR,-Many of the customs
of German life are very novel TO us,
but in no cases do we probably remark
the difference more than in funeral and
wedding services. Though in many
particulars he original national pecu'
liarities have disappeared, enough still
remain. The great pyramidTl collins,
often three and foui feet high, set up
on the queer, open, funeral cars, with
the pallbearers walking alongside; the
three coTnered hats ot the ~cOachmeli,
and ever the selection Of flowers and
wreaths, attract my attention every
time the professions pass by.
In their weddings the Germans,
where they have retained national Gus
toms, are even more novel. Poltera-
bend is the one feature most peculiar
for us. This is usually on the evening
before the wedding, and its object is
the taking leave of the friends of the
bride from her. In this connection it
should he noted, that when ii German
introduces yon to his braut or bride, he
is not introducing you to his welded
wife. ard you must not address her, as
Frau or Mrs. Bride and groom are
names borne by an engaged couple.
That suggestSt the fact that engagements
are not 50 lightly made, Tor rather un-
made as with us. The Germans can
not understand the American seaside
summer engagement, which is hut for
IA seasol. For them the engagement,
or y%erlObung, is al event announced to
friends 10y engraved cards and news
paper notices. To b.eak M engage
ment is in the sight of society most
heinous and is seldom heard of. 1t
must be confessed however that several
German Ina dens here in Berlin have
learned to their sorrow that American
lovers are not always reliable.
BIT to return to Polterabend. The
maine Potter in German implies some
thing of uolse and prank, and the even
Ing is in fact usually enc of jest and
Iun. II is however not all jest. The
first event is usually the presentation of
the veil, and bridal wreath Of myrtle
by the best friend of the bride. The
orange blossom of more southern eli
mates, here gives place to the no less
significant green of the myrtle. The
presentation is made III IA little address,
usually in verse. and is really very
touching. | have before Inc IA book in
which "a number OF these little poems
ale given. They are all very similar in
sentiment, reminding the bride, to
quote mIe Of them, that this myrtle
wreath is,
Not lleeling as the spring pretty bios
son."
Nor hiding thorns as the roses red
glow,
ct even green, as in the bosom,
OftaithfuI wife, peace antitrust grow
Then follows the wish, that God may
guard i'll her heart that peace and joy,
and that this wreath of love from
friendships hands may carry with itself
the blessing the giyrr wishes the bride.
One thing that is more emphatically
expressed, than we are accustomed to
to hear it, is the idea that marriage is
the goal ct every maiden'S heart"
That IS very natural however, when
We remember how few are the opemiIgs
for honorable independent livelihood to
To the German women But that is
apart from present subject. The
other addresses that follow are not in
general as serious as this one. As the
brides trr'.ds are the masters Of the
u"c,.Nrl' :i'' groom Is apt to get Il
good many pvkes and plenty of good
advice. The occasion is also one for
the presentation of the marriage pres
euts, and as can be imagined, even this
att"ldS a chance ior tum,-as when the
bride is presented with 4 good big slip
per, with the remark that time will
teach her the use of it. In one book of
these Polteyabend poems, | have found
the wise address for Il nation upon the
presentation of The cradle to the new
couple, from which We can infer that
that takes place occasionally. OF course
eating, various games aud dancing form
a part OF tn" evenln 9, and the small
touns com" before the merry making
ceases. This is inside. Outside. var
I"us drmouSulalinas ae apt to go ON;
the most =, crl AT is breaking old pot
terry against the houSr. This last al
ways lakes place, presumably, for good
luck. All marriages in Germany since
1874, must he civil. An ecclesiastical
marriage is extra and purely a matter
OF choice. Poor people are generally
content TO do with the SANCTION of the