New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-28
SWEDISH CUSTOMS.
PEASANT WEDDING CEREMONIES
DTrDtJ CIrDEDCTITTnNc

The Latin race" says a celebrated au,h.
lis feminine. even i'm its men-and the Ang.r
Saxon race Is masculine. even in its wonsn.
In fact, the men of the Latin race are AZ ns.
vCus. impressonable. chanSeable and bri,h,
as women. Their manners, also. are as insin.
ating as woman's. and they can talk bright,
even when they have nothing to talk ahor..
But. a strange contrast to thess ~
culiarities, the Latin is a materiast and ~
Anglo Saxon an ideast The Latin considsr
life as a passage Of material pleasures M
Anglo Saxon considers il as a school, with du,,
for schoolmaster. There are exceptions TO the.
rules, we know, but these are the rules which
distinguish the characteristics Of both races
The Swedes, though not Of pure AnglOSaxs
race may be- included within its limits ana
some Of their customs deserve mention For in
stance, when there is a wedding the bridegroom
carries 4 whip in his hand. a sign of hs an
thority in the do nestle circle II there is even
whisper II scandal against the bride she can
not wear the virginia. wreath Of orange blossoms
The way a peasant bride Is adorned in Sweden
is curious: all her friends lend her jewels etc
which they hang on her head neck arms hands
bodice shoes. etc. Then silver ring is placed
in one shoe. and this becomes the property o,
the boy who is allowed the honor Of taking on
the brides shoes at night before the guests SEP
arate. and then perfect iigh, takes place be-
tween the married guests and those who are no,
married. who SUR round the bride 20 prevent the
bridegroom taking the bride. which, Of course
h. eventually does. and then runs away with
her like the "cOnqucG.rg hero that he is" A
Swedish wedding usually IdStS several days and
among the many ceremonies IS the planting OF
fir tree in memory Il the day A Swedish
peasant rarely marrles 4 gar! not Of his own
place.
The Swedish peasant is simple aTectionate
courteous. hospitah'e and cheerful. The women's
dress consists usually II yellow wool,en skirt
and an Over-g0Wn 0f white cloth. fastened az the
back with black. \ black collar encrces the
neck and & red apron covers the front Of the
skirt white cloth fichu is draped on the
head The gala dress Is richer in colors and
red embroidered belt is worn round the waist
Married and single women dress alike Swed-
ish peasants house consists oil TWO rooms and
kitchen and 4 baking oven. and the whole rnads
of trunks OF trees. The roof Is made ~ branches
of trees covered with mud. There are no bek
Or knockers to the door; every one goes IN freely
without asking permission. The hrst room thai
is entered is the sitting room and tining-rooml
and sometimes IL is also used as bedroom
The furniture consists OF a large wooden table
chairs. and several little sofas, which joined 10
gcther. serve beds when needed Iarss
clock il always TO be- found IN the room. and
chest OF drawers The floor Is covered viii
branches Of iir trees There is also a large fire
place and when the fire Is ahght no candles
arr. used Next TO this room Is a second room
used only for sleeping and FOR hanging up The
family's wearing apparel. Nearly every peas
ants house has a little garden IN when ID gros
Cabbages. carrots. apples. etc. Trees, however
are rare IN sweden. especially In the NORTH
open fields are considered more beautiful thar
forests swedish peasants live on brown bread
cheese butter and salt beef and mutton. TheJ
do not like fresh meat Or vegetables or pota
toes Their drink Is light home made beer
They sometimes drink coffee. but only fashion
able people drink tea As IN ireland. the FANNY
pig often shares the bedroom with his master
Doors and windows are rarely opened. even
summer time. and the people rarely undress %
going - bed. They wash only one" week on
Saturday night
Like all ignorant people ~ every county tne
Swedish poor are very superSuN'uS. especiaiV
i'm illness For instance. corns AZ cured ~
some ono telling the sufferer that some one
dead The friend says. 80 and 50 IS dead.
And my cOrns are dead says me suNef1
This must be repeated three times. II any one
complains Of any pain. and some one says. is
a ler' the pain disappears At once splitting
supposed To keep away EVIL spirits. wltchorA
and ghosts The first time an unmarried ma
stands godfather to a baby Il must ne s"L
and the first time girl stands g'dmotne' "
child il must be boy. otherwise she VIII never
marry. The water which serves Tor Inc o-g'
tism is carefully kept % be used IN severa' ~
nesses Nowhere in the world j. the IoNe w
children SO great as in Sweden ana N'T"H
especially In Norway In fact th' wono'ohy o.
existence is relieved only by This love veg
little difference exists between the S"edes az.
Norwcgians in their customs SO little tha' "
need not BE- mentioned