The climax. [volume] (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1887-1897, 1888-05-09
RUSSIAN couRTsHiPs.
How Girls Are woOed HRd Won In tbs
IuscOvite Empire.

RUSSIAN COOh SHIPS
How Girls Are wooed HRd Won In tbs
Muscovite Empire.
The Countess EOrrigkOw, Of St.
Petersburg, Russia, has been making
the tour Of the States during the last
six months, and has been stopping in
Br1oklvn at the house Of a friend for
tv, or three weeks before departing
for her home. Speaking to reporter
of courtships in Russia she said:
Il will tell you a story Of love
making in Russia In this my country
men and women differ somewhat from
the Americans and those of other
climes. They are inclined TO be a little
more dsm0ustrative. less given to con-
ceaIing the feelings Of the heart. and
less inclined to regard money as a
necessary consideration in the settle
ment Of affairs Of the heart. When a
Russian girl loves she loves with her
whole heart and being. Her love sur
mounts every obstacle.
lit 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
b Join them in forming 4 circle. This
done. they all join in singing, after
which one Of the girls selects her young
gentleman-(mOi miloi) my love, as
She calls him-and leads him iuto the
middle Of the circle; then walks back
and forth chanting a love song, in
which the rest otthe guests join.
Next in turn come the yOIng men.
Each select a partner and 90 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 a declaration t0 be made
the youth, accompanied by some MEM
Ter If his family. proceeds to the home
Of his lady love and there makes known
his errand to the girls parents.
The mother, not ut all surprised,
usually reads the young man a long
lecture on the duties and burdens Of q
married life. bewailing all the ills and
speaking OF bat few Of the blessings.
and ends by declaring that her daugh-
ter is too young 10 marry yet and b
given over 20 the cruel tyranny Of Z
husband All this is but q custom
which must be observed. that the young
man may not think his bride too easily
won. Asiirring appeal from the sutton
follows, and the mother finally gives a
rather unwilling assent with the pro-
viso. if the father is willing. This is a
needless precaution on her part, for. a.
rule. the father is only too willing tc
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 hel
mothers tactics perfectly well. Al
pre!imiuarics arranged between lover
and mother, the daughter is called il
TO receive the maternal blessing. in
stead Of which she falls on her knees
before her mother, praying not to b,
taken from her. She describes the
beauties of her virgin life. and declares
size has no wish 10 change it. The
daughter finally yields her consent.
The young people then knecl to re,
ceirc the paternal blessing, which il
given with q great deal Of ceremony
after which the priest is called upon Il
brstow his blessing. which is very
b.au-ital and impre ssive, and at th'
end Dee places a rinE on the hand o
each. This concludes the engagement
ceremony, after which tea is served and
all the ucighbors are called in 10 join
iu The festivities
The engagement ceremony con
cludel, the lovers are then free to maxi
their own arrangements il regard T.
the time and place Of marriage. The
visit and receive friends. and are con
sidered almost the same as married. -
y l. telegram.