The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-08-26
Ancient Marriage Cu toms

Many customs and superstltions con,
nected with the very important event Oi
marriage banded down from oiden times;
while still observed, are !lttle undetfstt2t4ou
as regards origin. etc, says the MIA,
deiphia Press. The word "edulus,
comes from the Anglo-SaXon wed,
which represented the securities placer
By the groom in the hands OF trustees, as
a downer for the future projection os
the young girl leaving the tender care OF
parents for the new and uhtFltd nc. ise
amount was i'm accordance with the Il
nancal circumstances OF the groom
family, and In addition n gift was beSto~
ed either Of jewels or ornaments OF slI-
yer or gold. \ wedding ring In early days
was considered 50 necessary 10 make mar
rage VOWS binding that parties too poor
10 buy IL rented II for the occasion.
Great antiquity surrounds the ittle cir
clet. rs Henry Swineburn. III the seven
teenth century. claimed that 1T was de-
signed by Promotions, fashioned from
iron and stone by Tubal-t ain ana given
20 Adam that with Il he bind unto MN
self wife" Rings made from rushes
find later mention. but, alas must have
been too often typical Of the love VOWS
they scaled-quicky broken. silver
rings succeeded them and some, stu pre-
served. are odd and pretty, with devices
Of clasped hands. arrow pierced hearts
and inscribed within Httle sentiments
then quantity termed ''posies Gold
soon became the accepted metal, ana the
plain band the universal form or the mar
gin is the bridal favor and the true
lovers knot" which has been such
craze IN ornaments and decorations re-
Gently. How sweet and musical tho
word "trucfOla,' from which IL comes,
meaning Il plight thee my troth.'
The throwing Of the slipper for Eoot
luck undoubtedly came from more
serious and less pleasing ceremony. IN
past ages the shoe was an emblem az
authority and marriage 30 woman, sort
Of slavery. hence the father, In trans
ferrng mis- rights 10 the husband, gave the
shoe Modern fathers would hesitate to
couutenauce an alliance that held posi-
blitics Of rule or severity for their m
dulge1, idolized daughters. In their fair
hands OF Roman brides In the long ago
were held threeheads or wheat ana CEN
turtles later chaplets Of grain e1Chcle1
the brows Of English girls At the alter ot
Hymen. showers OF grain ana Iits or
cake afterwards succeedHi ms custom
and then the brides ioai' was broken
over the heads Of the newly v'd Ted pair.
Finally. IN the eighteenth Gently. came
the wedding cake very mGrn IN lts
present form. and CUT an eaten q we
marriage feast then as now. j. EnElaud
this cake is tower OF fhagnllcence IN
its proportions and ornamentatlQn, those
at royal weddings especially beautiful
and fabulous IN price.
I'm choosing Il Wedding day A little verse
has been authority. and is 50 familiar IL
scarcely requires repetition.
Monday for wealth,
Tuesday for frdtth,
Wednesday tho best day OF all;
Thursday for crosses,
Friday for losses.
Saturday ma luck at all.
Present caprice seems To defy supersti-
ton. Thursday and saturday being the
favorite and fashionable days 10 we'd
"To be lucky" the bride Is eXhorted TO
wear on the important occasion.
Something old, something new,
Something borrowed something blue.
And Gin going into the church the right
foot must be first" The shower Of rice
and old slippers must not be forgotten,
to insure a happy future. very ola pdI
sensible custom seems 10 have passed
away. viz. at the words with all ms
worlds goods 1 thee endOw," the groom
poured many pieces Of gold and silver
coin into the handkerchief " the bride
to emphasize his vow. The marriage cali
endar declares May the most fatal anu
June and october the most fortunate
months, and also claims that Il Is an eA-
ccedingly rash couple who viii
Marry in Lent
And live 20 repent.
To be warned is 60 he fCrc1rme1, but
neither luck. - 9lth nor superstition can
secure the cVeled happiness; TO gam
this they must te for all time hencetOrth
Each for tie other,
And both for God.