The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1892-01-09


DDS OF solemnizing marriage were very
peculiar and interesting. says the
Pittsburg Dispatch. Tho ancient Baby
lonians had law which provided that
when the maidens OF that city arrived
at a marriageable age they were TO be
aucti0ncd of TO the highest bidder.
As matter OF course the most shapely
and beautiful ones commanded the
highest prices and the rich Babylo-
mans naturally carried of the most
attractive prizes.
After these had been disposed OF the
auctioneer placed the ugly ones on
sale and rs an incentive he offered q
small sum OF money TO any one willing
10 become purchaser. This bonus
was contributed by the pretty maidens
and very often their less favored sis
tiers were the recipients OF snug dow
ries.
Each buyer prior 10 taking his pur-
chase TO her new home was required
TO give security that he would marry
her. After the sale should any OF the
parties repent OF their bargain they
were 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
l a.. - 10 a nd hx. IA
paired TO the bridegroom's house
whore she threw over the roof large
cake made OF coarse dough. They
firmly believed that tho higher IL was
thrown the happier the union would
be- and the better housewife she would
prove. AS tho houses were very low
lin reality were husband the cake
as hard as a stone. lusty bride sell
dom, II ever, failed to insure the lucky
omen. During the ceremony two
male friends OF the married couple Mt
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 tho world Is greater care exercised
in bringing up tho female children.
They are taught TO embroider and
make their own costumes. in addition
10 which they must learn 10 make
mems clothing. In order that when
married they may present their hus-
bands with wedding outfit Soon
alter the birth OF girl n wide leather
belt Is sewed around her waist and is
not removed until II bursts. when n
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
tinction OF which consists OF vel
that entirely conceals her face and
figure The habitation OF a married
Circassian consists OF two huts. one
|
by his wife and family. The court
separating the two buildings Is sur
rounded by palisades. and IL would
never be- suspected that they consti-
tuted one establishment
One OF the strangest matrimonial
ceremonies IL that practiced by an In
dian tribe residing on the banks oi
tho Orinoco river In South America.
The old men are married 10 the bud
ding maidcns. and decropit women are
mated with youths no; yet out OF Their
teens. The reason given for this Il
that age may correct the petulance O
youth. and that TO join persons equa
, In ago and imprudence in wedlock IL
10 place two fools together. One re
deeming trait about this custom is tina
! the marriage OF the young men with
the old women Is merely n sort OF APP
premiership ms after a. few months
probation they arc permitted to wee
women OF their own age
! The Laplandcrs consider IL q capita
offenso TO wed n maid without the per
mission OF her parents and relatives
, and invariably execute those who hay'
the temerity to attempt such clandds
! tine marriages. When Lap has a.
; covered his affinity the fashion ~
} invite tho friends OF both to witu/ =
, foot-race between himself and Fess
no intends 10 wed. The MT % on
given such long start In thiucn
, race for n wife that unless shI move
ing, she can seldom be overtdA - VIII
she outruns her sutton no IN
= again ask for trial OF speo,r.l never
: penal offenso TO renew t,idrI
marriage het "
In tho days OF ancient Il !,
bride was brought TO the h inYb( .ne
husband preceded by II nel
bearing torches the sign ffd ons
which was that married pei rsoS "
, need OF five deitios 10 aid aaf1 nd ~
2 them. These were Jupu2 liter ~
Venus. Suada and Diana witor IN
r When the woman reached w o u
r her future home she anointlc01 thok
with oil. and from this ceradf nv
4 known thereafter as unxor te ioinv
o which. for the sake OF euI ony,
a came uxor. whence is do ycd
English term uxorious An, Ter r
: among these people was that 10 br
y should be brought TO her ,usba
! with veil or other covcring, YER
= head. This ceremony wl call