Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-05
MARRIAGES IN ITALY.
Many Formsiitios Attend and the
Brides Bower IL Indispensable.

Marriages in Italy" said traveller
who had just returned from tour up
the Mediterranean to reporter for the
New York Matt and ETpress, care
unlike ours in every particular. The
ceremony there is performed only in the
church. After two lovers have become
engaged the parents OF the bride repair
to the dignitary who corresponds to the
mayorin this county. The bride and bride
groom here in writing and in the pres
ence of at least half dozen witnesses,
signify their intention of marrying.
The date of the wedding is then deslg-
mated, but the event is not allowed to
take place within three months. I'm
mediately after departing from the
mayors Office the friends OF the con.
tracing parties are notified in person OF
the proposed nuptials, and in some in
stances not only is it advertised IN the
newspapers, but written notices are
posted on every second post OF the town.
1.-The mayor, on the other hand,
directs 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 entered IN a
big book which the priest keeps for that
purpose. No one is married 10y the
clergy who has moi signifed his or herr
tentlon three months before. AS soon
as couple enters the church tue
reverend gentleman in charge tx
amines the book in person. If he
| fails to discover register of tine in
tention he refuses to join the anxious
pair. Every woman who marries Is en-
| titled to a dover. Her parents must
confer this upon her. For the most part
| the bridegroOms expect this dover aud
my attention was called to several who
had refused to take the bride without.
| The value OF the dover depends
entirely upon tho 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
n most ludicrous document sometimes,
but more particularly when it mlnutely
describes the number of forks, knives,
spoons, dishes, chairs, and other house
hold paraphernalia which the bride
groom father-in-awis willing to bestow
upon the smitteD pair. OF course there
are instances where the brides father,
owing to extreme poverty, has been un-
able to give a doWry, but these are real
love affairs"
Cannot the bridegroom present the
trousseau :"
"Ycs, he can but as far as ! could
ascertain there were certain restrictions.
The newly-marred couple never 80 on
honeymoon, the universal custom lee
ing to allow them TO remain at homo for
eight days. At the expiration OF that
time the cards are sent out. Then there
is merry-making. There are few cases
OF elopement.
docs not this compulsory dover
prevent many marriages.
Eyes, 1t does. Still there are pure
love Affairs even in Italy, and man
doesn't expect dover from the rcla-
tiyes OF poor orphan whom he loves.
In this country but few Italians regard
their country customs. Some believe
in the wisdom OF receiving the mayors
and Churchs appreciation, but as a gem
eral rule the dover and festivities are
entirely disregarded.