The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1902-05-21
BREAD AND BRIDES.
THE PARTS VlANDS PLAY IN MAR
RAGE CEREMONIES.

sci - Egyptian bridcgrooms Must
Work For Their suppcr-wIne In
Chtna-Mnrried by Candy.
The important part which different
viands play In marriage ceremonies
makes rather an interesting story.
For example the Swedish bride fills
her pocket with bread, which she dis
penSes TO every one she meets on her
way to church, every piece she gives
lway averting, as she believes, mis-
fortune.
On the threshold of her new home
bride in SerNia is presented with
plate Of bonbons, one of which she and
he bridegroom share between them.
he divided honbon Signifying that no
bitterness shall divide them. A sieve
If wheat corn is also given to the bride.
Of this she takes three handfuls,
throws il over her head, emptying the
sieve upon the ground. The scattered
sorn denotes that the bride brings Joy
md prosperity into her new home. The
bride is still outside the door, nor can
she enter until she has placed two
caves of bread beneath her arms and
aiken bottle of wine into her hands.
With these embloms she at length
crosses the threshold OF her future
home. At the first meal of the newly
married pair bread and wine must he
.ak'n n by both TO denote that thence
forward all they have shall be equally
1ividcd between them aud that their
married life shall Ire passed in unity
md fidelity.
\ Russian wooing eliminates in the
)etrothal feast, at which the bride elect
N return for long trcsS Of hair which
she has given TO the bridegroom re-
Gives bread and salt and an almond
AXE.
In Holland IL young man is in love
with Il girl and wishes TO ask her hand
n marriage he buys small sweet
cake and, wrapping il up In soft paper
proceeds TO the house Of his inamorata.
He is ushcred into the midst OF the
family circle. Without word he
walks up TO the young lady and lays
he cake on the table before her The
rest of the family affect not to notice
anything unusual and continue their
work or their reading. The young man
turns aside and talks to the father or
mother on some very ordinary subject,
keeping his eyes eagerly fixed on the
girl while he is conversing. II she ac-
cepts his offer. she takes up the cake
and eats II. II she is coquettiSh
iamsel. she tortures the young man by
turning II over and playing with it be-
fore she decides TO taste it and then EN-
raptures him by eating 1t to the last
crumb. II, on the other hand, she
wishes TO have nothing more TO do
with her admirer, she puts it back on
the table. The young man takes up
the cake and, with "Naarvoal byza-
men," leaves the house. The matter Is
then kept a profound secret by both
families, and the outer world never
hears of it. In place Of a wedding cake
N Holland wedding candies are given
Druid Zuikers" they are called.
They are passed around by children
md are served in flower trimmed bas-
kets.
piece de resistance served at Morse
peasant wedding. This is not brought
on the table until the last day Of the
festivities, three or five days being
given up TO foasting and merrymaking.
The appearance OF the bride pudding
is the signal of dismissal, and at the
close of the feast the guests say fare
well, presenting at the same time their
gifts, which consist of cash. This the
bride receives, the bridegroom present
ing each donor with glass of Wine
Partaking Of two tiny glasses Of wine
is all the ceremony necessary TO make
I marriage in some Chinese provinces,
provided quantity Of fireworks are
set of. These are to wake the great
joss" from his sleep that he may wit
ness the ceremony.
At Hebrew wedding man and wife
sip from one cup of wine, symbolizing
participation in the joys and pain OF
earthly life. The emptied goblet is
placed on the floor and crushed into
thousand pieces by the bridegroom,
who thus shows that he will put his
foot OF all evils that may enter the
family circle
At an Egyptian wedding feast meat
is not eaten because Of the belief that
il would lead to future chickering's be-
tween them. Eggs, fruits and sweets
are served. The first meal in the new
house cannot be touched until, after
every device known to the bridegroom,
the bride has been at last induced TO
speak. Once she utters n word, he claps
his hands, and supper is brought to
them.
Married by candy is the plan in Bur
ma OF all marriage rites this takes
the palm for cOnciseness and sweet
simplicity. Here the dusky lady takes
the initiative. Seeing a youth who
pleases her, she offers him n sweet. If
he accepts her proposal. he promptly
eats the token Of affection, and they
are thereby made man and wife. In
tle act of eating alone this most prim-
tive rite consists. If the youth be not
favorably disposed. he remarks with
all galantry that that particular candy
is not to his taste, and the matter is
ended In Mandalay three weeks after
a marriage kinsmen bring the bride
groom II bowl Of rice Il vessel Of wine
and fowl, much of which collation. is
sacrificed TO the spirits Of ancestors.