The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1892-08-26
A MANCHu WEDDING.
christian and Barbarian Rites Cautiously
Commingied.

rule of Christian missionaries IN Man.
,huria. They are making use in that
savage country of the characteristic
ways and manners Of the people, and
are ENGRAVING the rites of heathendom
upon the ceremonies of the church.
such is the case in weddings. which,
though solemnized by Christian
minister, are conducted according to
the ancient customs of the heather.
such a function has recently been de-
scribed by a London DAILY Graphic
correspondent
THE invitations TO the festivities"
he says, "were brought TO MS on large
scarlet cards. Our arrival was preceded
by that of onr servant bearing gift of
money for each guest was supposed to
contribute sum, nominally a wedding
present, really towards the expenses Of
the feast From an early hour the
musicians had been hard at work,
drumming and trMmpeting The two
professional cooks had had their share
from morning TIL night for three days
previously all the time up to the elbows
in dough, grease and garlic. For some
weeks before the ceremony my Old
newspapers had been mysteriously dis-
appearing. The mystery Of their where's
abouts was now solved. My boy, or
head servant was a friend Of the family;
and the apartment TO be occupied by
the happy couple was papeed with
newspaper clippings.
THE bride. shrouded from head 10
foot in long faded crimson robe, with
piece Of thick scarlet silk over her
head and face, was seated on mat of
red felt-red being the lucky color-on
the 'kan2,' Or brick bed. The bride
groom, a youth of Is, sumptuously at
tired in plum-colored brocade, a black
official hat with red tassel and high
military boots, seemed but little i'm
pressed by the Importance of the affair.
| His thoughts, indeed, We're centeied
rather on the coming feast and Juvenile
sports with his companions. Both bride
and bridegroom being Christians, the
| religious ceremony was performed by q
missionary. The couple We're seated
side by side on bench covered with
scarlet felt The bride was accompanied
by two elderly matrons, who literally
| pushed her through the performance,
scarcely leaving her side, and generally
cmtching the nearest part of her gar
ment.
The ceremony over the bridegroom
| speedily Invested himself of the tinery
hired FOR the occasion and fvjoined his
| playmates, while the bride was con
ducted to the sacred precincts Of thu
womans apartments She was then
| Invested of her crimson outer robe, and
appeared in ali her bridal finery d
green trousers and scarlet Jacket with
| embroidered sleeves She did not pre-
sent a very attractive spectacle He
hair now TO be arranged for the fiist
time in matronly style, fell in wild Ell
locks over her shoulders. Her eys
were red and swollen with crying, and
her face entirely free from any vestiPt
Ms sesf AeSf t ts Nan Sl,s.s
argument now arose among the lad,
visitors as to who was to have tn
honor OF washing the brides face. This
being settled, the newly-made mother
in-law brought water in ashining brass
basin, and a portly matron proceeded T.
operate upon the unfortunate bride. 4
small paper, containing grayish pow
der, was next pro,iuced, and the powder
rubbed on the brides forehead close /,
the roots OF her hair The operatin,
female then began to pluck ont great
TUFTS of hair. So as TO produce the high
square forehead considered beautiful in
Manchuria. The bride bore the opera
ton without wincing The next pro
ceeding was to dress the brides hair. |,
was drawn over a wire frame. So as I,
produce the effect of a large Alsatiar
bow. VarioHsly ornamented silver pins
quivering insects made of kingiishers
Feathers, and artificial flowers wer,
stuck into her hair, and the ceremony
was complete. The poor bride was nov
left entirely to herself. no one taking
any further notice OF her unless to make
more Or hess unkind comments on he,
personal appearance No wonder she
hooked miserable when handed over t.
the tender mercies Of her new mother
ih-law. 1t is not etiquette for a bride
" eat on her wedding day, nor should
She display avigorous appetite until she
has been married for at least a week.
"Aftcr thtsthe guests arrived fast. and
the inner apartments became throno,Ad
with a crowd of noisy ehattering DANES
in holiday attire. Scalding hot bowls
Of green tea, the weakest Of the weak.
were handed ronnd; long-stemmed pines
We're passed from hand to hand. or.
more correctly, from mouth to mouth.
Children of all sizes tambled about.
cried, quai4elled, romped. and We're
noisy. The more important of the male
guests were seated round tables in the
outer room, smoking ana drinking tea.
waiting for dinner The Younger ones
strolled about outside, or lolled on the
l1ang,' trying not to hook hungry. and
making bad Jokes at the bridegroorn's
expense. Mingled odors from the cook.
house then came fast and furious; tables
were laid. and chopSticl1s. bowls. and
wine cups placed. Warned by past OK.
lperience Of Chinese feasts | bade fare.
welL wishing the bridal pair long life
health. and happiness Music at 6,.s,
distant, then gradually drawing neare,
and nearer till our ears are deafened Nv
the blowing of horns, drumming =,
tN,,,-totaS and ,laShsoer ~ o,.,.h>ab