Arizona republican., 1892-09-13
MARRIAGE IN RUSSIA
CURIOUS CUSTOMS THAT DATE
 FROM REMOTE ANTIQUITY.

Do Their Courting-In Some Places tho
 Rigid Examination.
 The choice of a bride in some parts of Russia is still accompanied with many difficulties. The customs which are ob- served vigorously by the families of the lower classes would certainly embarrass an American swain or indirectly create large number of young "Lochinvars of the west"
 In almost all Russia marriages are brought about by means of woman mediator known as the "Svakha." As soon as the choice is made the Svakha puts on her best "bib and tucker" and proceeds to the home of the future bride. She makes her entrance in as dignified a fashion as possible, salutes the ikons and begins to speak of various things which seemingly have little relation to mar riage. She says, for instance, "Where there is no snow 1t is difficult to follow tracks, but today snow has fallen and it is easy to find the way to marriageable maiden" Or she may say, "A white swan has escaped from the house; is it possible that it fed to your"
 It depends upon the answers of the parents of the young girl whether the mediator becomes more specific and speaks to the point or withdraws from the place. If the negotiations end de- sirably the suitor takes courage to visit the young girl, to become better &C., quainted with her and her surroundings.
 In some provinces-for instance, in the government of Volagda--this visit of examination on the part of the suitor becomes an elaborate ceremony. The family of the bridegroom, under the leadership of the mediator, proceed to the house of the bride. The mediator, without much ado, commands the bride to spin. If the visitors are satisfied with the talent of the girl for weaving they ask her to walk about the room to see whether she limps. The prospective, or rather possible, bride and groom are then placed side by side to see whether they are mated as to height. If one of the young persons happens to fall short of the proper length of body there is al- ways great hilarity among the members of the two families.
 In almost all tine so called Great Russia" the surrender of the bride as- sumes, in Q way, the character of a sale. The money and objects of various kinds which the groom intends to present to the parents of the girl are the subject of long discussion.
 "We can consider the affair closedY asks, for instance, the father of the suitor.
 'I am agreed" comes the answer.
 "How much will you give me in cash?"
 Fifteen rubles."
 That Is no money at all. l received twenty rubles when my oldest daughter was married, and then times were hard"
 ''I shall add fur mantle" comes the reply.
 Keep your mantle. My daughter has one"
 Thus the conversation proceeds until the marriage terms are settled. But the customs at the marriage are equally queer. A few days before the wedding the bride is taken to bathe by her friends and companions. The soap used at the time is a present from tho bridegroom. The bathing sponge, through which ribbons are passed, is carried on long pole in front of the bride. The young woman sings as the procession advances. The platform of the bathing house is sprinkled with beer. It depends upon the odor from the beer whether the groom is to be a henpecked husband or not. As soon as the bridal procession enters the church on the day of the we'd ding the bride and bridegroom start down the aisle in mad race. There is a tradition that whichever one places the foot first on the cloth in front of the altar is to be master in the house.
 In some parts of the country it is still the custom. to invite sorcerer to the wedding ceremonies for the purpose of driving away all evil. spirits. The sor- cerer is treated with the greatest re- spect. At table he is served first. Dur ing a trial for the murder of such a sorcerer in Lamara, in 1880, the village priest gave the following account of the authority possessed by the sorcerer; "There was marriage in my house" he said. II was told that sorcerer had entered the room, had made various threats and demanded the place of honor. When approached him he insulted me and mocked me. When led him to the door there was the greatest excitement. People cried that my actions would bring about disastrous results"
 Among other things, there are queer customs at the wedding dinner. When the wine h passed around each guest tastes the beverage and cries out that it is bitter. That is the signal for the newly married coaNe to embrace one another. In some cyernments the young wife is obliged M>pull off her husbands boots in the preseQce of the guests as proof that he is master. A whip - placed there purposely falls from the boot and the husband strikes the wife with it three times. After this greeting he kisses her. The Russian peasant values his wife for her econom- ical properties. .-LItalie. q
 Sausages uItaouG Bread Crumbs.
 The sausages made in Sardinia from pork or veal, and seasoned with spices and little rum, have no bread in their composition; nor indeed do the Italians any more than the Germans seem to look with eyes of appreciation on bread crumbs as an accompaniment to sausage meat. To put too much bread into any sausage and to sell it at the price that would be charged for an equal quantity