The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-10-13
MARRIAGE In RUSSIA
CURIOUS CUSTOMS THAT GATE
FROM REMOTE ANTIQUITY

a Country Where Wen hire u woman ~
Do Their Courting-In Some Places the
Probable Bride Undergoes Severe and
Rigid Examination.
The choice of bride in some parts OF
Russia is still accompanied with many
difficulties. The customs which are oil,
served vigorously by the families of tn
lower classes would certainly embarras,
an American swain or indirectly create
a large number of young "Lochinvars
of the west"
In almost all Russia marriages are
brought about by means of woman
mediator known as the "Svakha." AS
soon as the choice is made the Svakha
puts on her best "bib and tucker" and
proceeds to the home of the future bride.
She makes her entrance in as dignified a
fashion as possible, salutes the ikons and
begins to speak of various things which
oeemingly have little relation to mar.
rage. She says, for instance, "Where
there is no snow it is difficult to follow
tracks, but today snow has fallen and it
is easy to find the way to manageable
maiden" Or she may say, GA white
swan has escaped from the house; is it
possible that it fled to your"
1t depends upon the answers of the
parents Of the young girl whether the
mediator becomes more specific and
speaks to the point or withdraws from
the place. If the negotiations end de-
sirably the sutton takes courage to visit
the young girl, to become better ac-
quainted with her and her surroundings.
In some provinces-for instance, in
the government of Volagda-this visit
of examination on the part of the sutton
becomes an elaborate ceremony. The
family of the bridegroom, under the
leadership of the mediator, proceed to
the house of the bride. The mediator,
without much ado, commands the bride
to spin. If the visitors are satisfied with
the talent of the girl for weaving they
ask her to walk about the room to see
whether she limps. The prospective, or
rather possible, bride and groom are
then placed side by side to see whether
they are mated as to height. If one Of
the young persons happens to fall short
Of the proper length Of body there is al
ways great hilarity among the members
of the two families.
In almost all tine so called "Great
Russia" the surrender of the bride as
sumes, in way, the character of sale.
The money and objects of various kinds
which the groom intends to present to
the parents of the girl are the subject
of long discussion.
1--WE can consider the affair closed?"
asks, for instance, the father of the
sutton.
~ am agreed" comes the answer
elbow much will you give me in cash."
"Fifteen rubles."
"That is no money at all. received
twenty rubles when my oldest daughter
was married, and then times were hard"
II shall add fur MANTLE" comes the
reply.
keep your mantle. My daughter
has one."
Thus the conversation proceeds until
the marriage terms are settled. But the
customs at the marriage are equally
queer A 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 are passed, is carried on long
pole in front of the bride. The young
woman sings as the procession advances.
The platform of the bathing house is
! sprinkled with beer. 1t depends upon
he odor from the beer whether the
| groom is to be a henpecked husband or
not. AS soon as the bridal procession
enters the church on the day Of the wed.
ding the bride and bridegroom start
down the aisle in mad race. There is
q tradition that whichever one places
the foot first on the cloth in front of the
altar is to be master in the house.
In some parts of the country it is still
the custom to invite sorcerer to the
wedding ceremonies for the purpose Of
driving away all evil spirits. The sor-
cerer is treated with the greatest re.
spect. At table he is served first. Dur
ing a trial for the murder of such a
sorcerer in Lamara, in 1880, the village
priest gave the following account OF the
authority possessed by the sorcerer'
"There was marriage in my house"
he said. II was told that q sorcerer had
entered the room, had made various
threats and demanded the place of honor.
When approached him he insulted me
and Knocked me. When l led him to The
door there was the greatest excitement.
People cried that my actions would
bring about disastrous results"
Among other things, there are queer
customs at the wedding dinner. When
the wine is passed around each guest
tastes the beverage and cries out that it
is bitter. That is the signal for the
newly married couple to embrace one
another. In some governments the
young wife is obliged "a pull off her
husbands boots in the presence of the
guests as proof that he is master. A
whip placed there purposely - falls
from the boot and the husband strikes
the wife with it three times. After this
greeting he kisses her. The Russian
peasant values his wife for her econore-
ical properties.