The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1892-08-25
RUSSIAN WEDDINGS.
Curious Customs That Date From
a Remote Antiquity,
A Woman Mediator Brings
About Marriages.

1IcsClOlCe OIL DFluc Ill boIlc lJdrts
of Russia is still accompanied with
many difficulties. The customs which
are observed vigorously by the fami-
lies of the lower classes would certain
ly cmbarrass an American swain, or
indirectly create large number of
young "Lochinvars of the West"
"Iu almost all Russia" says recent
ISSUE of "L'Iialie," smarriages arc
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 fashion as
possible, salutes the ikons and
begins TO speak of various things
which seemingly have little relation TO
marriage. 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
a marriageable maiden Or, she may
say: "A white swan has escaped
from the house; is it possible that it
fled to you?' 1t depends upon the
answers Of the parents of the young
girl whether the mediator becomes
moro specific and speaks to the point,
or withdraws from the place. If the
negotiations end desirably, tho suitor
takes courage to visit the young girl,
to become better acquainted 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 cercs
mony. The family of the bridegroom,
under the leadership Of the mediator.
proceed to the house Of the bride.
The mediator, without much ado,
commands tho 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 aud groom, are then
placed side by side to SEQ whether
they are mated as 10 height. If one
of the young persons happens to fall
short of the proper length Of body
there is always great hilarity among
the members of the two families.
'In almost all the so-called Great
Russia the surrender of tho bride as
sumnes; in 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 eau consider the affair
closcd?' asks, for instance, the father
of the suitor.
eel am agreed comes the answer.
"' How much will you give INC in
cash?"
Fifteen roubles.'
"' That is no money at all. 1 re-
ceived twenty roubIcs when my Oldest
daughter was married, and then times
were hard
"I shall add a fur mantle,' comes
the reply.
"Keep your mantle. My daughter
has onc.'
"T.uls the conversation proceeds
until tho marriage terms are settled.
But the Gust )ms at the marriage are
equally queer A few days before
the wedding the bride is taken to
athe by her friends and companions.
The soap used at the Time is present
from the bridegroom. The bathing
sponge, through which ribbons are
passed, is carried OH a long pole in
front of the bride. The young woman
sings as the procession advances. The
platform of tho bathing house is
sprinked with beer. ltdepepds upon
the odor from the beer whether the
groom is TO be ahenpecked husband or
not. As soon as the bridal procession
enters the church on the day of the
wedding, the bride and bridegroom
start down the aisle in mad race.
There is tradition that whichever
one places the foot first on the cloth
in front of the altar is to be master in
the house.
"Among other things, there arc
queer customs at the wedding dinner.
When the wine is passed around. each
guest tastes .he beverage and cries out
that IL is bittcr That ia the s,Unal