The age-herald., 1899-01-06
The Custom of Wooinu
in Other Countries

Nineteenth century wooing in many coun- tries varies not a whit from the customs and ceremonies in vogue when the world was young. For example, now, as centur- ies ago, bonfire plays an important part at every wedding celebrated in Persia. The planting of fir tree is one of the ceremon- ies attending a Swedish wedding, which usually lasts several days. A peasant bride is adorned with her friends trinkets brace lets, necklaces and rings, which they hang upon her head, neck. arms, bodice and even upon her shoes. Then, a silver ring is placed in one shoe for good luck.
 In Norway the bride does not wear we'd ding veil, but big headdress, which tow CTS high above her brow. In Bulgaria all newly married women are obliged to re- main dumb for a month after marriage, ex- cept when addressed by their husbands. When it is desirable to remove this restric- tion permanently the husbands presents her with gift and then she can chatter to her hearts content. If a girl marries in Russia without the consent of her parents she IS sent to prison and deprived of her share in the family property.
 In Lithunia, province of Russia it is customary that the brde's ears should be boxed before the marriage ceremony. No matter how tender-hearted the mother may be she must make it a point to administer hearty smack to her daughter in the pres ence or witnesses, and a note is made of the fact. The mothers intention is a kind one, as the reason for it is to protect the bride should her marriage prove an un- happy one. In that case she will sue for divorce, and her plea will be that she was forced into the marriage against her will hn will be in her favor.
 of all the marriage rites of which one ever heard those of Burmah bear away the palm for conciseness and sweet simplicity Here 1t is upon the dusky lady that the pleasing duties of courtshp devolye She sees youth whom she deems calculated to make her happy and forwith offers him stick of candy. If he accepts her pro- posal he promptly eats the token of affec- ton and they are thereby made man and wife. There is no further ceremony and no witnesses are necessary. In the act of eat ing alone this most primitive marriage rite consists. But if, on the contrary, the youth IS not Wiling he assures her that particular Kind of candy is not to his taste, and the maiden must seek elsewhere for one more appreeiatiye of her candy and of her affec- tions.
 In Hungary, in certain rural districts :, very curious custom prevails which Is very popular among the maidens who are not possessed of dowry. On the morning of her wedding it Is the custom of the bride to wash the hands and faces of the assem- bled guests, who in return throw into the basin used for these ablutions a certain sum of money, which the dowerless bride | approprates to her own use
 When the marriage takes place in China | the wedding party enters the temple and lights quantity of fireworks including a number of crackers. This is supposed to wake the great joss' from his sleep The priest repeats the service at express speed the bride and bridegroom take two little glasses of wine and are then declared man bride goes forth to meet the bridegroom enveoped in a black bridal veil. The groom when he arrives at the home of his future wife, is showered with yellow rice, per- fumed with altar of roses, from a vase of gold. He is presented with couple of eggs and in return gives bit of money wrapped in red paper. Twenty days previ- ous to the wedding invitations to relatives and friends are delivered personally Each invitation is accompanied by piece of betel nut. The invitations, printed on red