Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1888-10-18
THE NUPTIAL KNOT.
MARRIAGE CUSTOMS AND CEREMO-
MES OF MANY LANDS,
Weddings Among the Primitive Jews.
Among the Ancient Babylonians- In
Old Norway-The Laws of Scotland,
Ireland. England aud Wales.

Among the Ancient Babylonians-I,
Old Norway-The Laws of Scotland
Ireland, England aud Wales.
In the earliest records that have come
down to US, very little is said about tn,
ceremony by which a couple were ordi
narily united. Among the primitive Jew.
there was betrothal and espousal, but
no further formal ceremony except the
mere removal of the bride from he1
fathers house to that of the bridegroom
or his father. At later time the cere
monies began to be more elaborate. Or
the wedding day the bride would be as
elegantly attired as her circumstances
would permit, and veiled like Rebecca A
maid was always married on the fourth
day of the week, and a widow on the fifth.
During the ceremony the father, if he
were the celebrator, would take the hand
of his daughter and give her to the bride
groom, saying: Behold, take her after
the'law of Moses and lead her away" If
| the father did not act as celebrator the
rabbi or head of the synagogue would
take the extremity of the scarf or gar
ment which was around the bridegroom g
neck and cover the head of the bride with
it, after which he consecrated a cup of
wine and gave it to the two contracting
parties
THE MODERN CUSTOM.
In modern times canopy of silk is
usually put up under which the bride
and bridegroom stand on either side Of
the parents or guardians, and in front is
the chief rabbi, standing between the two
ministers of the synagogue. Then the
bridegroom presents the ring (Which was
only a modern custom in lieu of dower).
The ring is examined by the chief rabbi,
who asks the happy man if the ring is his
own, and being answered in the affirma-
tive the bridegroom places the ring upon
the forefinger Of the bride, saying: ''Be-
hold, thou art sanctifed to me, according
to the law Of Moses and Israel" Then
follow blessings and prayers by the
rabbi, after which one of the synagogue
officials deposits on the ground at the
foot of the bridegroom a small board,
upon which an ordinary wine glass is
placed. The bridegroom then stamps
upon it and dashes it to pieces, when all
assembled cry out: "Mazzletouril Mazzle-
touril" Good luck! Good luckD Then
follow the usual handshakings and con-
gratulations, and the ceremony is over.
Among the ancient Babylonians the
ceremonies were originally the same.
There were festivals lasting three days,
and in their course occurs the following
curious custom: The bridegroom was
placed within circle of dancers, and the
guests and bystanders then proceeded to
stick small coins upon bis forehead. As
the money fell it was caught in an open
handkerchief held under his chin. After
this party of young men would rush
into the crowd and carry off the most
wealthy guests and lock them up in
dark room until they paid proper ransom,
which would 60 to swell the dowry.
The custom that guests at wedding
should make presents to the bride and
bridegroom is very old; in fact, it has
been observed in all parts Of the world by
many people and at all periods of the
worlds history. The old Greek, the
Roman and the Jew all did it, and it is a
common custom among even savage tribes
to this day, but the presents made vary
with, the people making them, and with
the rank which is given to woman in the
national customs In old Norway the
brides wedding outfit included shield, q
sword and an ak, it being supposed that
she would need these to protect herself
against her husbands blows.
The easiest wedding to make in any
civilized country in the world at the
present time is what is known as a COM
mon law marriage under the laws of Scot
land Such weddings have been held
valid for at least 700 years, but labor un-
der the disadvantage of being considered
.'The leading principle"
said Lord Deas. in a judgment delivered
i'm far &c ho@
makes marriage. No ceremony, civil or
religious; no notice before or publication
after, no consummation, no cohabitation,
40 writing, no witnesses, even, are essen
tial." A peculiar feature Of this kind of
is that the claw of the place"
governs the marriage; hence all persons,
though not of Scottish domicile, may, by |
! very little foolishness, find themselves |
securely married by the operation of the
Scottish law.
In Ireland an important part of the
ceremony is collection for the priest,
which sometimes amounts to EGO or $50.
The Irish peasantry are ingenious in do
ng this so as to secure the largest re-
suits, and here is one of the methods: A
Wedding feast is provided and eaten. I'm
upon the removal of the cloth
he priest marries the young couple, and
he bride cake is brought in and placed
,efore the priest, who, putting on his
tole, blesses it and cuts it up into small
lices, which are handed around on q
arge dish among the guests. Each one
axes slice of the cake, and lays down
n the place of it donation for the priest,
onsisting of pounds, crowns or shillings,
ccording to the ability Of the donor. If
he amount given by any guest be not
onsidered sufficient, those present are by
% means slow in making it uncomforta-
le for the guest until he shall pay
roper amount.
In many places in England and Ireland
, is considered prudent on thepart OF the
ride to take care at the altar to put her
ight foot before that of the bridegroom,
or then she will be sure to get the better
him during the whole of the married
fe. This is especially prudent in Wales,
,r. under the Welsh law, a husband
,ight administer three blows with q
tick on any part of the person Except
he head) of his wife in case she misbe-
ayed. and another directed that the stick
Mould not be longer than the husbands
rm nor thicker than his middle finger
larcus Lane in Chicago Globe.