San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-07-26
Marriage In Russia.

Of Russia is still accompanied with
many difficulties. The customs which
are observed vigorously by the fami
lies OF the lower classes would Ger.
tainly embsrrss an American swain
or indirectly create large NUN Der
of young "Lochinvsrs of the West"
"In almost all Russia" says re-
cent issue of L'Italie, "marris re
brought about by means of q woman
mediator, known as the 'Svskhs.
As soon as the choice is made the
Syakha puts on her best bib and
tucker and proceeds to the home OF
the future bride. She makes her en-
trance In as dignitied . fashion as pos
sible, salutes the ikons aud begins to
speak of various things which SEEM
ingly have little relation to marriage.
She says, for instance, "Where
there Is no snow IL is difficult to fol-
low tracks; but today snow has fallen
and it is easy to find the way to a
manageable maiden. Or she may
say: "A white swan has escaped from
the house: is it possible that 1t has
fed to you?n 1t depends upon the
answer 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 are desirable the suffer
takes courage to visit the girl, to be.
come better acquainted with her aud
her Surroundings.
"In some provinces, for instance, in
the government of Volagdo, 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, pro-
coed to tn house of the bride. The
mediator, without much ado, COM
mands the bride to spin. If the Wis
itors 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 always great heiarity among
lDc vi WV IdLllllCss
In almost all the so-cslled Great
Russia the surrender of the bride
assumes, in q way, the character of
sale. The money and objects of va
rious kinds which the groom intends
to present to the parents of the girl
are the subject of long discussion.
1--we can consider the affair closed"
asks, for instance, the father of the
sutton.
az am agreed comes the answer.
allow much will you give me in
cash?'
"'Fifteen roubles.'
"'That is no money at all. Ireceived
20 roubles when my oldest daughter
was married, and then times were
hard
81 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 battle
by her friends and companions. The
soap used at the time is present
from the bridegroom. The bath
ing sponge, through which rib.
bons are passed, is carried on long
pc 3 in FROM of the bride. The you lg
woman sings as the procession ad-
The platform of the bathing
house is sprinkled with beer. 1t de-
ponds upon the oder from the beer
whether the groom Is to be heupeck-
ed husband or not. AS soon as the
bridal procession enters the church
on the day of the wedding the bridal
and bridegroom start down the aisle
in mad race. There is q tradition
that whichever one places the foot
first on the cloth in front of the altar
is to be master of the house.
"In come parts OF the country it is
still the custom to invite sorcerer to
the wedding ceremonies for the pur-
pose of driving away all evil spirits.
The sorcerer is treated with the
greatest respect. At table he is
served first. During a trial for the
in 1880, the village priest gave the
following account of the authority
possess ed by the sOrcerer: There
was q marriage in my house, he
said, Il was told that sorcerer had
en- tered the room, had made various
threats and demanded the place of
honor. When approached him he
insulted me and Knocked me. When l
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 tue wine is passed around each
guest tastes the beverage and cries
out that it is bitter. That Is the sig.
nal for the newly married couple to
embrace one another. In some gov
ernments the young wife is obliged to
mill off her hnshandls hnntR In the