The National tribune., 1892-09-01
EDITORS CHAT.
RE AT MODERN WEDDINGS


The custom OF showering newly married couples
with rice on their departure for the bridal tour
grows raore ard more prevalent. From the COM
paratively quiet ceremony of scattering handfuls
of rice upon them by friends thronging the door
way all sorts of expediencies are now resorted to
10 make the showers last as long ss possible
News Of a recent bridal tells how the umbrellas
of the bride and groom were filled with rice, the
unsuspecting parties being unaware Of the trick
until they went TO raise them at the end of their
railroad journey.
At another wedding the friends of the bride and
groom followed them TO the depot. entered the car
and strewed rice so freely that the asles were
showed under.
According to current writer the custom Of rice
sirewing at weddings comes from the Parsees. the
modern followers OF Zoroaster. jewellers in both
Persia and India. With them IL means May
peace and prosperity attend you" and the custom
is very ancient. All the religious rites of the
priests of the Parsees conducted in the old
Zend-Avesta language as much Of a dead letter TO
the common people the Latin ritual Of the Ro-
man Catholic Church lie to the bulk OF its wor-
shippers.
TIE Zend-Avesta Is the whole Parsee sacred
literature ancient and modern. The Avesta cor
responds 10 the Hebrew Old Testament and lie one
Of the ancient and interesting documents pey-
tanning to the early history and religion OF the
back 10 Zoroas.er himself though Is b claimed that
OF his Il books nearly aii were lost In the fall of the
Persian Empire after Alexander the Great. 1t
will be interesting TO read the account of a we'd
ding conducted ia accordance with such ancient
ceremonies. Perhaps with our love of imitation
shall soon brides and Rroou1s shower
ing each other with rice instead of leaving if all TO
their guests.
A PaRsEE WEDDING.
In the center Of the hall was a small open space
around which chairs had been placed. Several ven-
erAbielooking dasiurs priests. dressed in white.
stood in readiness TO take part in the ceremony, and
the table close beside them trays Of dry rice
and cocoanuts. embeBaiic of plenty. Several
brass trays holding rice. cocoanuts. and pan sopa
MS, or spice packets. were brought la on the
shoulders Of servants. suddenly, TO the sounds Of
the Europe" band, the brides party and the
hridegroom's entered from opposite sides of the
ball simultaneously. Then there such q crush
lug and pressing TO the barred windows of the
marriage hail 10 catch glimpse of te two parties,
Zach party surrounded by friends that it
was hardly possible 70 see much Of the two most
inportant persons. Both parties approached the
np9ce In the middle Of the hall across which white
sheet was held. the bride aud bridegroom taking
iheir seats on opposite sides so that they could not
the hall was completely full. Thirteen or fourteen
hundred guests were expected and by This time sill
had probably arrived.
The priests began TO chant the marriage service
In the ancient Zcna LANGUAGE. which is not "un-
derstood OF the people" The bridge and bride
e
and II is niaftef Of great excitement to which
FIRST throws this rice the other when the sheet
which has been held up between them Is suddenly
Withdrawn. That one whose rice first touches the
other is supposed to possess the warmer affections
for the other After tlie sheet was withdrawn the
new-marrted couple sat side by side, while the
dassurs, sometimes together and sometimes sepa-
rasey address long GRAFTON to them still in Zend
on their duties TO each other and the world al
large All The time that the GRAFTON going on
the priests held rice in their hands and threw sew.
eral grains II a time over the young couple. APP
parently enforcing each command with q silo over
Of rice. While the eKhortation was going the
guests got up and walked about and talked. and
no further heed paid to the priests or what
they said. Gariands made Of jasmine buds inter
spcrsed with roses were then hung around The
necks of the bride and bridegroom Till they looked
il they wcsring boas of flowers. Then
little dabs of rermilioa were placed the fore
heads OF the happy pair and their near relations
an outward and visible sign Of Joy and gladnesi
al the union.
TO THE cgaMAyDER-Iy-CHyEF n. r. C. c. q
Let the road be rough or dresry,
And its end far out Of sight.
Foot it bravely. strong or weary.
Trust in God and do the right.
Prank Mcneil, Tccumseh, Mich
This is kind In Frank. and will serve en- step
ping-stone roHeh p!aces- BY the way, FRANK
would hear at once from friends who arc To attend
the National Eneampment
Ernest j. KEN, Paris. Ark. In o letter well
written and composed expresses q desire to bea
from young men beginning 70 study law. HI