New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-19
N.4RRT1GE Nv RUSSIA.
CURIOUS CUSTOMS THAT DATE FROM A REMOTE
.ND ANTIQUITY.

AND SAVAGE ANTIQUITY.
The choice OF II bride In some parts OF Russia Is
Sill accompanied with many dihiculties Inc
customs which are observed vigorously BY the fam
lilies OF the lower classes would certainly embarraS
an American swain. or indirectly create large mum
Der OF Young "Lochinvars OF the West
"In almost all Russia" says recent Issue OK
aL,Italie. "marIiages are brought about BY means
OF a woman mediator, known the 'Svakha' AZ
soon as the choice Is made the Svakha put on her
best bib and tucker and proceeds 20 the hame OF
the future bride. She makes her entrance IN al
dignifed fashion possible, saites the iRons ana
begins to speak Of various things which seemingly
have little relation to marriage. She says Tor IN
stance: Where there is no snow. it is difficult to
follow tracks but to-day has fallen and II IL
easy 10 nDd the TO a marriageable maiden Or
she may say: a white swan has escaped from the
house IS II possible that 1t fed t. you' IT depends
lrpon the OF the parents OF the Young g1rl
whether the mediator becomes more SPECIFIC an"
speaks 10 the point or wiihdraws from the place II
he negotiations end desrablv the snitor takes
courage to visit the young Girl. to become better
acquainted with her and her surroundings.
"In some provinces, for Instance. III
the Government of volngda. this visit
Of examination on the part OF the sutton be-
comes an elaborate ceremony. The family OF tho
bridegroom under the leadership Of the mediator
proceed to the house OF the bride The mediator
without much ado commands the bride 10 spin
II the visitors are satisfied with the talent Of the
girl for weaving. they ask her 10 walk about ths
room to see whether she limps. The prospective, or
rather p-ssible, bride and groom. are then places
side BY side to see whether they are mated as to
height II one Of the young persons happens to
fall short Of the proper length OF body there Is
always great hilarty among the members Of the two
families.
ain almost all the so-called Great Russia the
surrender of the bride assumes, in way the char
acter of n saa The money and objects OF various
kinds which the groom intends TO present TO the
parents Of the girl are the subject discussion
".we can consider the affair closed asks, for N
stance, the father OF the sutton.
81 am agreed the answer.
"IIow much will you give me in cash7'
"Fifteen roubhS'
THAT Is no money at all. received twenty
rouLles when nv Oldest daughter was married, and
then times were hard
81 shall add fur mantle comes the reply.
"sKeep your mantle. NV daughter has one
Thus the conversation proceeds until the marriage
terms are settled. But the customs at the mar
riage are equally queer. 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 bathing sponge,
through which ribbons passed, Is carried long
pole In front of the bride The young woman sings
the procession advances. The platform OF the
lathing house sprned with beer. IL depends upon
henpecked husband not. As soon the bridal
procession the church the day Of the we'd
dug the bride and bridegroom start down the aisle
in mad There is tradition that which
ever one places the foot first the cloth In
front Of the altar Is TO be master 10 the house.
In parts OF the country II Is
still the custom 10 invite n sorccrcr 10 the wedding
ceremonies, for the purpose Of driving away
all evil spirits The Is treated with the great
est respect. At table he Is served first. During a
trial for the murder Of such Lamaru, in
1880 the village priest gave the following account OF
the authority possessed by the There n
marriage In my house. lie >aid i told that
sorcerer had entered the room. Ind made various
threats and demanded the plsce OF honor. When ap
preached him. he nsult.d and Knocked me- When
led him the door there the greatest excite
Pc vie cried that my'nctions would bring about
disastrous results
Among other things. there queer customs at
the wedding dinner When the wine 1, passed around
each guest tastes the beverage and cries ont that II
10 bitter. That Is the signal for The newly married
couple 10 embrace one another. In some Govern
mcnts. the young wife is obliged to pull of her hu>
bands boots IN the presence of the guests proof
that he Is master. whip-placed there purpoSely-
falls rum the boot and the hu band strikes the vito
with 1t three times. After this greeting he Kisses
her The Russian peasant values his wife for her
economical properties