Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1892-01-28
Curious COURTSHIPS.
..u AUCTION OF BRIDES IN AN.
GENT BABYLON.
....,,e Practices Am ong Modern savano
rrlbes-Januery Welded to May
with IN Indian Racs In
south America.

ads OF SOlcIHuAAiHe AetiTAdec Wero very
Osculiar and interesting. says the
Pp;ttsbure Dispatch. The ancient Baby
ionans had law which provided that
vhep the maidens OF that city arrived
sta manageable age they were to be
suctioned off to the highest bidder.
Asa matter of course the most shape,y
and beautiful ones commanded the
highest prices. and the rich Babylo-
mans naturally carried off the most
attractive prizes.
After these had been disposed of the
suctioneer placed the ugly ones on
Gale and as an incentive he offered a
small sum of money to any one willing
to become a purchaser This bonus
was contributed by the pretty maidens
and very often their less favored sis.
ters were the recipients of snug dow
rieS.
Each buyer prior to taking his pur-
chase to her new homo was required
to give security that he would marry
her. After the sale should any of the
parties repent OF their bargain they
we're permitted to annul the purchase,
and the sums paid were restored to
them. OF course parents had no choice
in the selection Of husbands for their
daughters.
Among the Liburnians the inhabit-
ants of city which stood on the site
Of the modern Leghorn, before the
wedding banquet was concluded the
bride and all the guests were required
to rise from the table. and she then re-
paired to tho bridegroom's house
where she throw over the roof large
cake made OF coarse dough. They
firmly believed that the higher it was
thrown the happier the union would
be and the better housewife she would
prove. AS the houses were very low
in reality were husband the cake
as hard as stone. lusty bride sell
dom if ever, failed to insure the lucky
omen. During the ceremony two
male friends Of the married couple at
tended the bride and when she had
completed the task presented her with
new shoes and stockings. She signi.
fed her acceptance of the gift by Civ
ing them two or three old handker-
chiefs
The beauty OF Circassian women has
become proverbial. In no other part
Of tie world is greater care exercised
in bringing up the female children.
They are taught to embroider and
make their own costumes. in addition
to which they must learn to make
mems clothing. in order that when
married they may present their hus.
bands with wedding outfit Soon
alter the birth Of a girl wide leather
belt is sewed around her waist and is
not removed until it bursts. when
second one is adjusted. On the night
OF her marriage the belt is cut with a
dagger by her husband. and in many
instances with fatal results.
The father makes his daughter a
present on her wedding day but the
major part OF what he intends for her
is reserved until the birth OF the first
child. when the father clothes her in
the dress of matron. the chief dis
tlnction OF which consists of veil
that entirely cOnceals her face and
ngure. The habitation OF married
Clrcassian consists OF two huts. one
occupied by the husband and the other
BY his wife and family. The court
separating the two buildings is sur
rounded By palisades and it would
never be suspected that they consti-
tuted one establishment
One of the strangest matrimonial
ceremonies is thai practiced by an In
dian tribe residing on the banks of
the Orinoco river in South America
The old men are married to the bud
ding maidens. and decrepit women are
mated with youths NO: yet out OF their
eens. The reason given for this is
mat age may correct the petulance OF
youth, and that to join persons equal
IN age and imprudence in wedlock is
TO place two fools together. One re-
deeming trait about this custom is that
the marriage of the young men with
the old women is merely u sort Of APP
premiership. as after a few months
probation they are permitted to wed
women OF their own age.
The Laplanders consider it a capital
onense to wed maid without the per-
mission OF her parents and relatives.
and invariably execute those who have
the temerity to attempt such clandes-
Tine marriages. When Lap has dis
covered his affinity the fashion is to
invite the friends OF both to witness a
icot-race between himself and the one
ne Intends to wed. The maiden Is
given such long start in this novel
race for wife that unless she is will
Ing, she can seldom be overtaken. II
she outruns her sutton he can never
again ask for a trial OF speed, as 1t Is
apenal offense to renew the offer OF
marriage
In the days OF ancient Rome the
pride was brought to the house OF her
husband preceded by five persons
bearing torches the Specification OF
which was that married persons have
need Of Ave deities to aid and protect
them. These were Jupiter Juno
Venus Suada and Diana or Luclna.
When the woman reached the door OF
her future homo she an0inted the posts
with oil, and from this ceremony was