Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1888-04-25
MARRIAGES IN ITALY.
Many Formalities Attend and the
Brides Dover is Indispensable.

marriages IN Italy, said traveller
who had just returned from tour up
the Mediterranean to reporter, "are
unlike ours IN every particular. The
ceremony there is performed only IN
the church. After two lovers have be-
come engaged the parents OF the bride
repair to the dignitary, who cores
ponds to the mayor in this country.
The bride and bridegroom here, in
writing and in the presence of at least
half a dozen witnesses, signify their
intention of marrying. The date of
the wedding is then designated, but
the event is not allowed to take place
within three months. Immediately af-
ter departing from the mayors Office,
the friends of the contracting parties
are notified in person of the proposed
nuptials, and in some instances not
only is it advertised in the newspapers,
but written notices are posted on every
second post of the town.
"The mayor, on the other hand, di-
rects his clerks to send notification of
the intention to all the churches in the
city and vicinity. This done, the
names and ages of the couple are en-
tered IN big book which the priest
keeps for that purpose No one is mar
ried by the clergyman who has not
signified his or her intention three
months before. AS soon as a couple
enters the church the reverend gentle
man in charge examines the book in
person. If he fails TO discover a reg
lister of the intention he refuses to join
the anxious pair. Every woman who
marrieS is entitled 10 a dover. Her
parents must confer this upon her. For
the most part the bridegrooms expect
this dover, and my attention was
called to several who had refused to
take the bride without 1t. The value
of the dover depends entirely upon the
financial status OF the girls parents.
The poorer ones generally furnish in a
complete manner the dwelling in which
the couple intends to live. The father
of the girl, some few weeks prior TO the
wedding, prepares in writing the dover
list. 1t is a most ludicrous document
sometimes, but more particularly when
1t minutely describes the number of
forks, knives, spoons, dishes, chairs
and other household paraphernalia
which the bridegroom's father-in-law
is willing to bestow upon the smiUten
pair. OF course there are instances
where the brides father, owing to ex-
treme poverty, has been unable to give
dover, but these are real love af-
fairs
Cannot the bridegroom present the
trousseauP"
Yes, he can; but as far as 1 could
ascertain there were certain restrlc-
tions. The newly married couple never
go on honeymoon, the universal Gus
tom being to allow them to remain at
home for eight days. at the eXpira-
ton of that time the cards are sent out.
Then there is merry-making. There
are few cases of elopements."
"DOes not this compulsory dover
prevent many marriagesP"
"Yes. it does. Still there are pure
| love affairs even in Italy, and man
doesn't expect dover from the rela-
tiyes of poor orphan whom he loves.
In this country but few Italians regard
their country's custom. Some believe
in the wisdom of receiving the mayors
and church's appreciation, but as a
general rule the dover and festivities
are entirely disregarded."