Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1891-01-09
THE NUPTIAL KNOT.
MARRIAGE CUSTOMS AND cEREMO.
MES OF MANY LANDS.

Weddings Among the Primitive Jews.
Among the Ancient Babyionians In
Old Norway-The Laws of Scotland.
Ireland, England aud Wales.
In the earliest records that have come
down to us, very little IS said about the
ceremony by which a couple were ordi-
Marty united. Among the primitive Jews
there was betrothal and sspousal, 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, saying: 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
neck and cover the head of the bride with
1t, after which he consecrated cup of
wine and gave it to the two contracting
parties.
THE MODERN CUSTOM.
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 lieu 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 the ring upon
the forefinger Of the bride, saying: ''Be-
hold, thou art sanctiGed to me, 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 a small board,
upon which an ordinary wine glass is
placed. The bridegroom then stamps
upon 1t and dashes it to pieces, when all
assembled cry out: "Mazzletouril Mazzle.
tour" GOOD luck Good luckD Then
follow the usual handshakings and coil
CALCULATIONS, 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 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 party of young men would rush
into the crowd and carry off the most
wealthy guests and lock them up in a
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
4 been observed in all parts of the world by
many people and at all periods of the
worlds history. The old 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 them and with
the rank which is given to woman ia the
national customs. In old Norway the
/ brides wedding outfit included shield, a
sword and an ak, 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 a com
mon law marriage under the laws of Scot
land. Such weddings have been held
valid for at least 700 years, but labor I'M
der the disadvantage of being considered
disreputable. THE leading principle, ~
said Lord Deas, in a judgment delivered
by him few years ago, lis that consent
makes marriage. No ceremony, civil OF
religious; no notice before or publication
after, no contamination, no cohabitation,
no writing, no witnesses, even, aBe essen
tial." A peculiar feature Of this kind OF
marriage is that the law of the place
governs the marriage; hence all persons
though not OF Scottish domicile, may. by
very little foolishness, find themselves
securely married by the operation of the
Scottish law.
In Ireland an important part of the
ceremony is a collection for the priest
which sometimes amounts to geo or $50
The Irish peasantry are ingenious il do
ing this so as to secure the largest re
suits, and here is one of the methods:
wedding feast is provided and eaten. I'm
mediately upon the removal of the cloth
the priest marries the young couple, aut
the bride cake is brought in and placed
before the priest, who, putting on hi:
stole, blesses it and cuts it up into small
slices, which are handed around on {
large dish among the guests. Each one
, takes slice of the cake, and lays down
in the place of it donation for the priest
consisting of pounds, crowns or shillings
according to the ability of the donor.
the amount given by any guest be no
[ considered sufficient, those present are by
[ no means slow in making it uncomforta
Bile for the guest until he shall pay
, proper amount.
In many places in England and IRELAND
t it is considered prudent on the part Of thu
, bride to take care at the altar to put he
right foot before that of the bridegroom
, for then she will be sure to get the bette
\ of him during the whole of the married
: life. This is especially prudent in Wales
for, under the Welsh law, a hu3ban,
might administer three blows with
: stick on any part of the person (excep
: the headl of his wife in case she nlisbe
I, haved. and another directed that the sticl
p should not be longer than the husband
arm nor thicker than his middle finger
Marcus Lane in Chicago Globe.
The Indians Ethical Qualities.
/ The only results of Indian education
), have actually witnessed are those which
h have seen at Hampton, Va, and Carlisle
Pa. The Indian mind appears to be