Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1890-07-12
CURIOUS COURTSHlP.
|lACriCB AMONG ANCIENT PEOPLES AND
MODERN SAVAGE TRIBES.
auction OF Brides In Babyion-January
welded to May with an Indian Race
In merica--The speed Test.
,uis T. Pesle in pit,sburg Dispatch.

ouis T. Pesle in Pittsburg Dispatch.
In some parts of the world the methods
! { solemnizing marriage were very peculiar
md interesting. The ancient Babylonians
I'D law which provided that when the
haidens Of that city arrived al insrriage-
BILE age they were to be auctionea on 70
he highest bidder. As a matter of course
he most shapely and beautiful ones com
handed the highest prices, and the ricn
Subvlonians naturally carried OIL the most
ktrsctiye prizes. Aiter these had been
|isposed of the auctioneer places the ugly
hes on sale, and as AN Incentive he offered
small sum of money TO anyone willing to
tibutcd by the pretty maidens, and very
nen their less favored sisters were the re-
bcipient of snug dowries.
Each buyer prior to taking his purchase
her new home was required to give Sc
lrity that he would marry her. After the
hle, should any of the parties repent of
heir bargain, they were permitted to annul
be purchase, and the sums paid were re-
Ored to them. OF course parents had no
hoice in the selection ofhusbands for their
aughters.
Among the Liburnians, the inhabitants
city which stood on the site fthe mod
tn Leghorn, before the wedding banquet
as concluded the bride and all the guests
ere required to rise from the table, aud
10 tu6u TcDdlTtu W tut DIlucSIoOIu
buse, where she threw over the roof
rye cake made of coarse dough. They
rmly believed that the higher it was
brown the happier the union would be
nd the better housewife she would prove.
s the houses were very low--in reality
ere husband the cakes as hard as stone,
lusty bride seldom, If ever, failed to in
ire the lucky omen. Daring this cere-
ony two male friends of the married
buple attended the bride, and when she
,d concluded the task presented her with
bw shoes and stockings. She signified
er acceptance of the gift by giving them
Eo or three old handkerchieis.
The beauty of Circassian women has be-
|me proverbial. In no other part OF the
orld is greater care exercised in bringing
/, the female children. They are taught
embroider and make their own costumes,
addition to which they must learn to
AXE mems clothing, in order that when
arried they may present their husbands
hth IA wedding outfit. Soon after the birth
q girl, wide leather belt is sewed
ound her waist and is not removed until
bursts, when second one is adjusted.
!, the night of her marriage the belt is cut
tth dagger by her husband, and in
any instances with fatal results.
The father makes his daughter present
her wedding day, but the major part of
hat he intends for her Is reserved until
o birth of the first child, when the father
,thes her in the dress of matron, the
ief distinction of which consists of veil
IA. entirely conceals her face and figure.
he habitation of married Circassian con-
,ts of two huts, one occupied by the hus-
nd and the other by his wife and family.
10 court separating the two buildings Is
rrounded by palisades, and it would
yer be suspected that they constituted
le establishment.
Nc fl.x ut,4 ma y
onies is that practiced by an Indian tribe
siding on the banks of the Orinoco river
South America. The old men are mar
Id to the budding maidens, and decrepit
,men are mated with youths not yet out
their teens. The reason given for this is
At age may correct the petulance ofyouth,
d that to join persons equal in age and
prudence in wedlock is TO place two
pls together. One redeeming trait about
S custom is that the marriage of the
ung men with the old women is merely
sort of apprenticeship, as, after few
onths' probation they are permitted TO
bd women of their own age.
The Mexican method OF courtship, as
acticed at one tiine but never seen at the
esent day, was very remarkable. When
Mexican arrived at the so-called years of
scretion suitable life partner was So
tied for him. The native priests were
nsulted, and if they predicted happy
ion the girl was demanded her parents
certain women called solicitors, who
hked among the most respectable OF the
buld-be groom's acquaintance. Their
BITS were necessary.
The bride-elect was then given lengthy
Eture on the duties of her new life, after
hch she was conducted to her father IN
VS. house. The bridegroom and his re-
ives received her at the door OF the
use, four of the female members OF the
nily bearing torches. Upon meeting, the
hde and bridegroom offered incense TO
IN other, and being conducted indoors,
by were both seated on a curiously
ought mat placed in the middle of the
pm. A priest now approached and tied
rt of the gown of the bride to the mantle
the groom, this constituting the chief
rt of the bridal ceremony. The bride
a groom shut themselves up for four
Tvs, spending the time in fasting and
aver. At the end of that period they were
lsidered man and wife.
The Iaplanders consider 1t capital Of
Use to we'd a maid without the permission
her parents or relatives, and invariably
ecute those who have the temerity to at
mt such clandestine marriages. When
ap discovered his affinity the fashion is
invite the friends of both to witness
pt race betwe cen himself and the one he
ends to wed. The maiden is given such
ong start in this novel race for wife
1t, unless she is willing, she can seldom
overtaken. If she outruns her suitor he
never again ask for trial of speed, as
a penal oilense to renew the oi1er OF
trriage.
In the days of ancient Rome, the bride
rs brought to the house of her husband
eceded by five persons bearing torches,
Specification OF which was that marriage
rsons have need of five deities to aid and
otect them. These were Jupiter, Juno.
knus, Suada and Diana or Lucina. When
, woman reached the door of her future
me she annointed the posts with oil, and
m this ceremony was known thereafter
upxor (annointer), which, for the sake
euphony became uXor, whence is derived
English term uxorious. Another rule
hong these people was that the bride
ould be brought to her husband with II
II or other COW Vering over her head. This
,emony was called nuptiae, from nubo,
veil, and was the origin OF the modern
,rd nuptial.