The Arizona champion., 1890-12-27
THE NUPTIAL NOT.
Marriage Ceremonies of Many
 Lands.
AaGKG TIE AHGIEAT BABYLOAIARS.
The Laws of Scotland, Ireland, Eng
 land and Wales.

In the earliest records that have come down to us, very little Is said about the ceremony by which couple were ordi- narily united Among the primitive Jews there was betrothal and espousal, but no further formal ceremony except the mere removal of the bride from her fathers house to that of the bridegroom or his father. At later time the cere- monies began to be more elaborate. On the wedding day the bride would be as elegantly attired as her circumstances would permit, and yelled like Rebecca. A maid was always married on the fourth day of the week, and widow on the fifth. During the ceremony the father, if he were the celebrator, would take the hand of his daughter and give her to the bride groom, saving: Behold, take her after the law of Moses and lead her away" If the father did not act as celebrator the rabbi or head of the synagogue would take the extremity of the scarf or gar ment which was around the bridegroom s neck and cover the head of the bride with it, after which he consecnted a cup of wine and gave it to the two contracting parties.
 
 In modern times a canopy of silk is usually put up under which the bride and bridegroom stand on either side of the parents or guardians, and in front is the chief rabbi, standing between the two ministers of the synagogue. Then the bridegroom presents the ring (which was only modern custom in leu of dower) The ring is examined by the chief rabbi, who asks the happy man if the ring is his own, and being answered in the affirma- tive the bridegroom places he ring upon the forefnger of the bride, saying: "Be- hold, thou art sanctifed to ne, according to the law of Moses and Israel" Then follow blessings and prayers by the rabbi, after which one of the synagogue officials deposits on the ground at the foot of the bridegroom small board, upon which an ordinary wne glass is placed. The bridegroom then stamps upon it and dashes it to pieces, when all assembled cry out: 'Mazzleto1ril Mazzle- tourir' Good luck! Good l1ckD Then follow the usual handshakings and COIL gratulations, and the ceremony is over.
 Among the ancient Babylonians the ceremonies were originally the same There were festivals lasting three days, and in their course occurs the following curious custom: The bridegroom was placed within a circle of dancers, and the guests and bystanders then proceeded to stick small coins upon his forehead As the money fell it was caught in an open handkerchief held under his chin. After this a party of young men would rush into the crowd and carry off the most wealthy guests and lock them up in Q dark room until they paid proper ransom. which would go to swell the dowry.
 The custom that guests at a wedding should make presents to the bride and bridegroom is very old; in fact, it has been observed in all parts If the world by many people and at all periods of the worlds history. The cd Greek, the Roman and the Jew all did it, and it is a common custom among even savage tribes to this day, but the presents made vary with the people making tInm, and with the rank which is given to woman in the national customs. In ole Norway the brides wedding outfit included shield. a sword and an ax, it being supposed that she would need these to protect herself against her husbands blows.
 THE LAWS OF SCOTLAND.
 The easiest wedding to make in any civilized country in the world at the present time is what is known as Q con- mon law marriage under the laws of Scot land. Such weddings have been held valid for at least zoo years, but labor un- der the disadvantage of being considered disreputable. "The leading principle, :" said Lord Deas, in judgment delivered hxTn hi favr Sic Int makes marriage. No ceremony, civil or religious; no notice before tr publication after, no consummation, no cohabitation, no writing, no witnesses, even, are essen tial" A peculiar feature of this kind of marriage is that the Flaw of the place. governs the marriage; hence all persons, though not of Scottish dom.cile, may, by very little foolishness, fn1 themselves securely married by the operation of the Scottish law.
 In Ireland an important part of the ceremony is collection for the priest, which sometimes amounts 10 e20 or G30 The Irish peasantry are ingenious in do- ing this so as to secure the largest re- suits, and here is one of the methods: A wedding feast is provided and eaten. I'm mediately upon the removal of the cloth the priest marries the young couple. and the bride cake is brought in and placed before the priest, who, putting on his stole, blesses it and cuts 1t up into small slices, which arc handed around on Q large dish among the guests. Each one takes slice of the cake, and lays down in tho place of it adonation for the priest, consisting of pounds, crowns or shillings, according to the ability of the donor. If the amount given by any guest be not considered sufficient, those present are by no means slow in making il uncomforta- ble for the guest until he shall pay q proper amount.
 In many places in England and Ireland it is considered prudent on the part of the bride to take care at the altar to put her right foot before that of the bridegroom, for then she will be sure to get the better of him during the whole of the married life. This is especially prudent in Wales, for, under the Welsh law, husband might administer three blows with 9 stick on any part of the person (except the head) of his wife in case she misbe- haved, and another directed that the stick should not be longer than the husbands arm nor thicker than his middle finger Marcus Lane in Chicago Globe.