Wichita eagle., 1889-11-01
CURIOUS WEDDING GIFTS.
CUSTOMS ATTENDING THEIR BE-
STOWAL IN VARIOUS LANDS.

Utility Rather Than Ornament-The Red
Card of the Chinese and the Pig. Sheep
or Cow Of the Swedes-Origin of the
Morgengabe and the Welsh Buildings.
what shall we send as wedding present
something useful or something ornanentals"
How often this question is asked by people
who wish to remember their friends on their
nuptial day. If we are without the pale of
consanguinity or affinity we fear to trans
gress etiquette by sending useful articles, un-
less, indeed. we are on terms Of the closest
friendship. On the other hand, every one
feels that it would be far wiser to send some-
thing useful, so that the gifts may escape the
fate OF SO many wedding presents that are
stored away in trunks or deposited in the
vaults and safes of banks
In the matter of Wedding presents our fore
fathers displayed degree Of taste and judg-
ment that the present generation might well
follow.
Among the Greeks it was formerly the
custom for friends to send to the newly mar
ried people what were known as the unwilling
presents, because they were given on the &C.
casion of the brides first appearance unveiled.
She was seated in her apartment, with gilt
crown on her head, and there she received
the presents Of her guests Among the Romans
both parties gave presents to those friends
who had negotiated or favored their mar
riage. The custom OF sticking coins ON the
bridegroom's forehead is common to several
Eastern races, among others to the Turco-
mans and Moors of West Barbary The
bridegroom on these occasions Is placed within
a circle of dancers, and the guests and by
ISLANDERS, wetting small coins, place them On
his forehead All the money thus collected is
added 70 the dowry of the couple. AS the
coins al'e put on the bridegroom's forehead
the attending servants shake them off into
basket which is; placed in his lap, his eyes
being meanwhile shut, and the name of the
donor and the value of the gift are announced.
GIVE AND TAKE.
With modern Arabians the bridegroom
makes the bride presents, which are sent a
day or two before the nuptials. As soon as
the bride reaches the bridegroom's house she
makes him presents of household furniture, a
spear and a tent. The marriage contract
among the Persians stipulates for the settle
ment Of numerous presents, in addition to
certain sum Of money. If the bridegroom is
in moderate circumstances he gives the bride
two complete dresses, ring and mirror.
He also supplies the furniture. carpets, mats,
culinary utensils and other necessaries for
their home. Presents are exchanged between
the bride and bridegroom on the evening be-
fore an Armenian wedding.
The introduction Of the Chinese method in
the United States would revolutionige the
present etiquette in respect to present MAX
ing. With the Celestials the family of the
bridegroom make presents to the family Of
the bride of various articles few DAYS be-
fore the day fixed for marriage. The pres
ents generally consist of food, a cock and
hen, the leg and foot of pig, the leg of
goat, eight small cakes of bread, eight
torches, three pairs of large red candles, a
quantity of vermicelli and several punches
Of firecrackers Two or three DAYS before
the time fixed for the wedding red card is
sent by the family OF the bride to that of the
bridegroom, stating the quantity of furni-
ture that will be furnished as the brides
dowry.
In Siam all the guests must bring presents
Swedish brides used to receive from their
friends a pig, sheep or COW, and from the
bridegroom colt, dog cat or goose. Among
q
platform under a canopy of silk on their
wedding day, and their presents, consisting
Of plate, jewels and money, were arranged on
a silk covered bench before them
The fee for the officiating priest at a we'd
ling in Norway and Sweden formerly con-
sisted of present of one OF more bladders
illed with highly seasoned mince of differ
mt kinds of meat and also bottle or two
If brandy. Every guest at a Norwegian
Wedding brought the bride present In
many parts a keg of butter was the usual
rift, and if the marriage took place in the
winter, salted or frozen meat was offered.
THE MoRGENGABR
Among the early Germans money was given
% the brides relatives on the wedding day,
,ut this usage was not followed if the mar
iage happened to be an unequal one Men
# rank who had lost their wives, but had
children, in order to avoid burdening their
states, married low born women, who, bring
ng no fortune, were not entitled to dover |
n such cases the husband gave his wife such |
lifts as pair of oxen for blowing, har- [
essed horse, bpckier, a lance and sword, |
o signify that she ought not to lead an ids |
nd luxurious life, but should be partne. |
With him in his labors and companion of |
is dangers. The wife, likewise, gave her
husband arms.
The morgengabc, or morning gift, was
robably founded on the custom of the hus
and making presents. At first the morgen-
abe was present made by the husband to
is wife on the morning after his marriage. |
sometimes it was chain of gold or jewel,
nd at others portion of the husbands for
lu
very marriage, but later only at the we'd
ings of the nobility. This custom was often
arried TO great excess, the bride having the
riviege of asking for any SUN of money, or,
4 fact anything that she pleased, and which
ould not, in honor, be refused by the hus-
and The demand sometimes was very ex-
roitant. if the woman chose to be avaricious;
ence the laws limited the amount to be
iven. PAY weddings" were general
throughout Germany at one time. At the
which followed the marriage
be guests deposited gold or silver money or
,welry in a basin which stood before the
ride, who was seated at a table with her
amale friends.
In other instances every visitor paid for
De refreshments which he had as al an inn
ears ago II was common IN some parts Of
Germany, as well as in Holland and France,
} distribute at the weddings of the upper
asses medals on which were various devices
resents were made at the entertainment fol-
wing the nuptial ceremonies in France by
Il the guests who Were invited to be present
he presents were deposited in a basin that
God before the couple, while music was
eing played
The weddings in Wales were characterized