The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-10-09

back and forth toward the center
of the circle, all the while cheating a love
song the other guests joining in the chorus.
In the song generally chosen she will sing of
the beauty OF her lover. For him she would
leave home and parents, brothers, sisters and
friends and travel to the ends Of the earth
would "follow HIM across seven oceans and
over seven high mountains, " to rest beneath
their shadow and enjoy her happiness undis-
turbed
The other girls, one after another, then
follow suit, when the came love chanting is
repeated until all the young women have
made their choice. Then comes the turn Of
the young men, each Of whom will select
partner and 90 through the same perform
ance. The iollihcatiJn concludes with the
dancing of the Russian Cossack," after
which each young peasant escorts the object
Of his choice TO her home.
HOW THEY PROPOSE.
when the time comes to make formal
declaration Of his intentions the youth lac
companied by one or more members of his
family. who ara supposed 10 assist MIN Ia
Obtaining the parents consent) proceeds to
the house of his lady love to make known
his desires to her father and mother. The
latter, not at all surprised, usually regsles
the aspirant with long lecture on the
trials and duties Of married life, lamenting
the ills and ignoring the blessings. and
winds up by declaring that her daughter is
too young to be handed over to the cruel
tyranny OF an eXaCting husband.
This custom Is in every insta &c rlgldlY
followed, 80 fearful are the parents thai the
young man might think their child too
easily won.
The sutton, in the hope Of oonciliating the
mother for she appears most prominent 10
the matter. the fathers consent being a
mere formality), next begins TO make her
little peace-offerings, meanwhile expatl-
ating on his undying love for her daughter
and how happy he will make her. The
mother lends a reluctant ear to the ardent
lovers protestations until reasonable
number OF presents have accumulated, when
she finally Yields a rather unwilling assent.
She then tells him that he must obtain the
fathers consent-an alt Rether unnecessary
proceeding, for, as a rule, he is only too
willing to he relieved of the burden Of his
daughters support.
You will naturally ask what has become
of the victim during the wooer's numerous
visits to the little homea With throbbinR
heart she silently listens in an adjoining
room, where each word spoken by her lover
falls like weet music ON her ears.
AND THE PRIEST IS CALLED.
All preliminaries being finally arranged
between the mother and lover, the daughter
is called into the room 20 receive the mater
nal blessing instead OF which she prostrates
herself at her mothers feet, declaring that
she had no desire to leave her home. She
prefers to lead a life of freedom. Mother aud
lover soon overcome her objections and at
last she yields a coy assent. The young
couple then kneel to receive the blessing of
both parents, after which the priest is sum
moned to bestow his. This is performed in
a solemn and impressive manner, and at its
conclusion ring is placed on the finger Of
each of the contracting parties This latter
ceremony is considered quite as important
as the performance of the marriage rite
The neighbors are next notified, that they
may tender their congratulations, and seated
around a long table they pArtake of the
national beverage-tea.
The above is but an outline Of these inter-
esting ceremonies, which are pathetic and
impressive to an extreme degree.