The St. Johns herald., 1890-11-06
A HINDOO WEDDING.
account of a Marriage ia High
 Life at Bombay.
Strange NuptIals of the ErahniEs-Queer Jewelry and Ornaments Worn by the Bride-The Mother-in-Law an
 Important Factor.


 An interesting description of Uindoo wedding, written by Sarah D. Hamlin from Bombay, appears in recent issue of the San Francisco Bulletin, and from it the following extract is taken:
 AS it was growing late we felt that we had waited long enough and prepared to proceed brideward. This seemed to be the signal for new departure, and procession was again formed. At the brides house few changes had been made, but ''choree" CT marriage hall had been formed by placing at each of the four corners of square carthenwarc water vessels, one above the the other, and held in position by supports of barn- boo. In the center was the sacred fire. Hardly had we arrived when every body took seats as before, though the cashmere-shawled father did not appear, and the bride and groom no longer sat opposite each other, but sIde by side. The priests performed fire sacrifice" before them and fastened tho boys scarf to the marriage vail of the girl. The wur mala, or marriage garland, com posed of twenty-four strings of red cot ton, was hung around their necks, their hands were again joined beneath the dirty scarf, the women sang nuptial hymns in honor of the gods Krishna and Ram, and then commenced series of new performances in which the bride groom's mother-in-law" was the princi- pal actor.
 First a great platter of food was brought, which the mother presented to her daughter. who first gave i5 to her bridegroom, and he then helped her. Red powder was put upon the forehead of both again and again, not only by priest, "bridegroom's mothcr-in-law," and the little brother, but by numerous female friends. Again and again was tho immense platter, resembling a paint-shop with its various powders brought forth. Hands and feet of bride and groom were rubbed with red powder, which is an emblem of pros perity, anointed with oil and washed with water. Hands were made to touch each other many times, and toes touch toes. We could see that the brides little brown feet were heavy with toe rings, whose pendants half-covcred tho feet, and the plainer toc-rings the mother was constantly removing from one foot to the other. Louder and louder grew the nuptial songs, and one high-voiced woman, the leader of the singers on our side of the ''chorcc," seemed to be firing challenges at the officiating priest, and he to be replying to her in an expostulatory manner. Then the brass bands would begin, play a moment and stop; never by any ac- cident in harmony. As the noise sub- sided for a time an immense brass platter was brought whereupon rice had been arranged somewhat in the form of the letter x, which is mystic symbol used in religious ceremonies from re- mote period and slgnifying success and happiness.
 Into the angles of the cross red pow der was sprinkled by the priest, and surrounding friends began to throw copper coins upon it. They seemed to be tossing for the fortunes of the young couple, one of whom, who seemed so weary and disgusted and half-5lindcd by the smoke, was repeatedly yawning and looking around, as if to ask if re- lief would ever come, while he was nearly roasted by the fire, so near which he wss obliged to sit. A pan was brought in at this part of the proceed ings, in which were two or three kinds of meal. Ghee, or clarified butter, be- ing put upon the four, the officiating woman, or the "bridegroom's mother in-law," proceeded to stir it with her hand and to make kind of dough, of which bridegroom, bride, motber-in-law and priest each took little and dropped on the fire, which was now burning brightly.
 Finally, bride and groom arose, and he, with one arm around her neck, en- bracing her as though she were a DOT cupine and he were afraid of the quills, they proceeded around the ''choroe," 7" guided by tho priest and pausing at each of the four columns of earthcn- ware pots, where appropriate signs of worship were made. Singing, gesticu- lation and powdering followed, and, as they sat again, the sacred betel-leaf was given to each, and they placed it upon the fire. Four times they made the circumambulation, and were told that if by any chance this was done only three times, it was no real mar riage.
 On the fourth return bride and groom, HOW husband and wife, exchanged their seats, and then came congratula- tions. Almost all the female friends came forward and put silver rupees in the brides hand, and, stepping behind her, embraced her from behind. We were told that this was the end.