Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-01-01
mEAsURrNa THE BRIDE.
Compositions and Awards 10 an Old Fash-
toned Scotch Hamlet

Compositions and Awards In an Old Fash-
toned Scotch Hamlet
Cassells Journal.
II Ia a very quaint matrimonial compe-
tition that prevails IN the old fashioned
fishing and agricultural hamlet of ST.
Cyrus, on the northeast coast Of Scotland.
IL is an annual contest open only TO
brides is Judged and umpircd BY the parish
minister in the parish church and has to do
entirely with age and stature -Four
money prizes Of equal value are awarded
every year. There is one each for the
youngest, the oldest, the shortest and the
tallest brides married during the course of
the year in the parish church
Candidates, If not resident in the parish
must take up residence there at least six
weeks before the nuptial knot is tied.
The procedure followed is the essence
Of simplicity. At the close of the wedding
ceremony the bride retires TO the vestry
in order to sign the marriage register and
TO have her competitive qualifications as
certained. The "birthlines, as they are
amiliarly designated show her age, but
no documentary evidence of stature. how
ever authoritatively attested. can be ac-
cepted Proof must be forthcoming on
the spot For this purpose the candidate
has TO submit TO an ordeal, the first part OF
which consists IN removing her shoes.
Then comes the undoing of her hair until
the tresses, length permitting hang loosely
over the shoulders.
Thus temporarily bereit Of part of her
adorment. she steps on to the measuring
stand provided for this special purpose
and always kept on the premises. Nov
comes the cruX of the ceremony. Nh,
judge carefully wields the sliding indica
tor, and in the gentlest possible manner
checkmates any suspicion OF manipulating
the head and feet
Measuring completed the pastoi
enters the particulars in the brides
register. The entries close with the en-,
of each year. and il is an interesting groul
that wonds its way TO the manse on th,
first week day OF the year to receive thl
dowries
These marriages always take place on
| Friday. on which occasion there IS invari
bly, good turnout of spectators the unioi
of deaf and dumb couple having at
tracted q record attendance TIN
brides register reveals some curiou
features. In one family three sisters an,
a prother's wife were successful In annex
ing the gift, and OF two prize taking sister
one was the tallest and the other th
shortest In another instance only
day separated one Of the lucky brides iron
the next In turn.
The present minister of the parish ha
oiiiciated at the contests for the last .
years, during which period the value q
the dowrios has averaged a triie over s3
each.
The origin Of this droll competition
decidedly interesting One hoisterou
winter day a wealthy local laird observed
young couple vending their way TO churc
to be made one Curious to kno,
their circumstances. he made INQUIRIES am
learned that the mutuallove of the plour
man and the ex-servant lass was thei
principal asset for setting up house AS
sequel the laird left az his death a lecac
Of $1,000, the interest of which De decree
was to be divided annually for an tim
coming into five equal portions. fou
among brides, as already mentioned an
the fifth 20 provide oatmeal. tea. suqai
&c, for the poor Of the parish.
This quaint custom, besides creatin
| pleasumble excitement. does much ma
( terial good 90 the humble particinant.
The fund which is invested in eovcrr
ment consols. az present stands at S565,
I and the next distribution on Nonda,
January lst. i906-will be the 59th.