Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1913-09-23
HOW CHINESE WE'D
Combination Of Occidental and
Oriental Customs.
Features Of the Ceremony Copied From
the American Form-Men Dress
In Frock Coats and Scarlet
Veil for Bride.

few days ago IL was my good Tor
tune to be a guest at a wedding, the
chief participants in which we're a
young Cantonese man and woman Of
the more progressive type. The cere-
mony was not a Christian one. yet
many features were closely copied
from the American form, says a writer
In Friend.
The young bridegroom was at one
time a student in the United States,
and is now aide-de-camp TO the gov
ernor general Of the province of Krong-
tung. His father was formerly Chinese
minister to Cuba, and later a member
of the bureau of foreign affairs in
Picking Both parents OF the bride
groom speak English and Spanish flu
emily, IN addition to their native
/ tongue.
When reached the house at about
1880 p. m. there was already a large
company Of guests present. The walls
were gayiy decked with scarlet fes-
toons and scrolls. on which golden
characters described the suspicious
event. and everywhere the word for
happiness was displayed In gilt. Fes-
toons of orange buds we're strung from
wall to wall, and each guest wore a
| gilt medaEsouvenir of the occasion
fastened by a scarlet ribbon to his
coat
The guests were seated on both
sides of central aisle, at the head Of
which a small table was placed on
raised platform Before this table
and separated from each other by the
middle aisle stood bride and bride
groom with their backs TO the audi
ence.
The bride wore a scarlet veil which
covered her entire person, but one
could easily detect the gorgeous we'd
ding dress beneath, made of scarlet
silk and deliberately embroidered in
thread of genuine gold. The bride
| groom was dressed in conventional
frock coat and white vest
Behind the bride and bridegroom
stood the ~ ushers-six men and six
women-and the SIX bridesmaids and
six groomsmen-24 In all The men
were all dressed in frock coats, while
the young ladies wore light blue silk
dresses of Chinese style, and their
hair was tied UP in foreign fashion
with light blue ribbon. altogether maxi
| ing a striking contrast 10 the gorgeous
costume of the bride. Many of the
girls had very beautiful faces.
One of the most pleasing features Of
the occasion was the music, which con-
sisted of foreign airs beautifully play
ed on a piano by the sister of the
groom. After several pieces had been
played the four guests Of honor ar
rived In sedan chairs and every one
arose as they walked up the center
aisle. These gentlemen were the gov
ernor general. the secretary of war for
the province and the commissioners of
foreign affairs and education, the last
being a Christian. All were dressed
in frock coats.
The governor and secretary of war,
who acted as master of ceremony, sat
at the small table facing the. young
couple and the audience. At the ends
of the table sat the two commission
ers.
| After a musical prelude, his excel
lency, the governor. rose from his
seat and addressing himself TO the
young couple, turning first to one and
then to the other, spoke of the rela-
lions of man and wife. and pronounced
them married.
He was followed by the secretary of
war. whose short address was read for
him by a secretary. The two commits
sioners, who were designated as the
witnesses, then arose and In turn ad-
dressed the bride and bridegroom.
Finally all four, together with the bride
and groom, signed the marriage GER
tificate and drank from four silver COB
let's of wine. The ring ceremony was
then performed-bride and bridegroom
exchanging rings.
A hymn, Onward, Christian Sol
diers," YVES sung by the bridesmaids,
then the formal greeting between bride
! and bridegroom-not a kiss, but bow
ing three times Then, turning around
and facing the audience, standing side
by side, the young couple bowed to
the guests and walked down the aisle
between the guests, bowling as they
went. They were followed by two of
the bridesmaids. They then returned
to their former position After this a
number of short declarations we're
read and a sort of benediction pro-
nounced Another hymn was sung
and the guests were invited into an
adjoining room to partake of some tea.
Old China is being transformed into
new and progressive country, The
customs and manners of the Occident
are creeping into the land, but always
with Oriental notifications whereby
their foreign features are softeneo
down.
Tunnel for Honeymooners.