The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-11-08
MARRIAGE CUSTOMS.
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rcHoEs rRoM PAST TIMES

ECHOES FROM PAST TIMES
 Many progressive women fret against the present.day marriage customs which are old as the everlasting hills, but they must take into consideration the fact that 1t is a good deal to the pagan peoples of ancient times that we owe nearly all of them. even the golden circle and the obsectionabie "obey." One who has look ed up the subject writes the facts as followsi
 .'The golden circlet that is placed upon the finger of the bride at the conclusion of the marriage ceremony is relic of the letter by which the bride was pound, while the jocose slipper is remnant or the missiles hurled by the angry parent.
 "The orange blossoms came in more civilized age. though they are not Chris ian. and symbolized a large family. The veil. as still in modern oriental countries, typifies exclusive possession by one man
 "EVen the honeymoon Is q symbol cf the interval which elapsed before the victor brought his bride from hiding and sought peace with her Wrathfui Nns- men. in Wales a wedding is very tame unless the bridegroom captures the bride after a thrilling pseudo skirnish. The relatives offer mock resistance, and much .scuffiing and horseplay .nsue.
 At the church the bride Is snatched by her relatives and the bridegroom $ party pursue on horseback. At last she is tossed back. and whoever receives her will wed within the yeaS Similar to our throwing the brides bouquet.
 Arabian fathers sometimes present their daughter with a sword, signiflying freedom. For one blessed moment She belongs to no man; then she presents it to Her husband, and henceforth Is in his power.
 Not until the tenth century dia Anglo Saxon women have any right oa choice Betrothed as children. the bridegroom s pledge was called wed. hence our word Welsh laws permitted cnly moderate wife beating. Three blows were deemed suf- ficlent, with a stick no longer than an arm
 "The Greek church has the most elabo- rate ritual. Champagne is served in the CEar's land Ahd guests are given souvenir initial boxes of cake. In Brazil drinking brandy together may constitute a mar -lake; in Japan, the same with wine. To loIn hands, to sit together. are all old customs, also to be smeared with blosd or for the woman to tie a rope of grass around the Enan's waist.
 '"The Australian carries fire to a man s tent; the Creation bridegroom boxes the brides ears, while in Hungary even at the present time the bridegroom gives hls wife kick to indicate her subjection.
 ''The Jewish bridegroom crushes the wine glass to atoms with his foot to obliterate the past. In China the maid steps over q fire at the threshold, while the gypsy hops the broonstick."
 "All these superstitions have come tc us in modified form, but the love oi tradition and tendency toward imitation makes us slow to part with them.
 Endless jests have been made upon the word ''ebey" and women largely repu- diate it. yet the great orthodox churches Btill retain d.
 "Tn Denmark they have legally abolish ed the word.
 ''The entire conception of the functions . of women in social and domestic life has so altered and broadened that it seems singular that so many of the old mar riage customs are still preserved-cus- toms which, although amusing when trac- ed te their source, are realty typical Of barbaric times and ceuntries.''