Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1919-05-31
WEDDING CUSTOMS.

Dear Social Corner Sisters: I am
sending in a line on wedding Gus
toms.
How little the bride OF today realis
es that all the wedding customs Of thei
present are taken from the pagan past.A
The barbaric bridegroom procured his
mate by one or two methods. capture
or chase. Now we always speak Of
capturing q bride, and purchase is
not wholly unknown. In, the form
er the groom started upon the war
path with some chosen companion,
whence comes the custom OF having a
| best man."
| The dainty gold ring ef to-day is a.
relic of the fetter by which the bride
| is bound while the jocose slipper is
/ a remnant of the missiles hurled by
| the angry parent.
! The orange blossoms came in more
civilized age, though they are not
4 Christian, and symbolized large fam
lily.
4 The veil is still in modern Oriental
4 countries, typifles exclusive Possession
I by one man.
Even the honeymoon is a symbol Of
the interval elapsed before the victor
/, brought his bride from hiding and
sought peace with her wrathful kins-
man.
In Wales wedding is very tame
unless the groom capture the bride
after a thrilling skirniish. At the
church the bride is s,7atched by her
relatives and the groom's party pur-
Il sue on horseback. At last she is
tossed back. and whoever receives her
will wed within the year.
i Similar to our throwing the brides
!, bouquet, Arabian fathers sometimes
present their daughters with sword
i sisnifying freedom. For one blessed
| moment She belongs to no mai: ther
{ she presents it to her husband ane
$ l1eYcefortli it is his power.
, Not until the tenth century did An.
gio Saxon women have any right Q.
I choice Betbrothed as children. tn.
] bridegroona's pledge was called u wed
4 renee wedding.
Welsh laws permitted only naoder
>, ate wife beating. Three blows wert
, deemed Sufficient. with stick n,
Il longer than an arm"
i The Greek church ilas the most elab
crate ritual. Champagne is served il
}, the cars land and guests are gisel
q souvenir initial boxes Of cake
a In Brazil. drinking brandy togethe
/, may constitute Il marriage; in Japar
II the same with wine. To join hands
to SET together are all old customs; al
= so to be sneared with blood. or iof
" the mans waist.
/ The Australian carries fire to man
tent; the Croatian bridegroom boxe
:. | the brides ears: while in Hungsr,
y even at the present time, the bride
p groom gives his wife a kick to irfdi
y cate her subsection.
= The Jewish bridegroom brushes tn
Il i wine glass to atoms with his foot
obliterate the past.
= In China the maid steps over a fir
= at the Threshold; while the gyps
= hops over the broon1sticll."
Z All these superstitions have come I
- us in q modified form. but. the love {
tradition and tendency towards irnita
ton make Us SLOW to part with then
Endless jcsts have been made ;upo
the word obey" and women repudi
>. ate it. yet the great orthodox church
es still retain it.
=. In Denmark they. have legalA' abo
- ished the word. The entire conceptie
= of the functions or women in soci
, and domestic life has so altered ar
~ broadened that it seems singular tn:
~ so many OF the old marriage custom
- re still reseryed-customs which. a
y though amusing when traced to the
- source. are really typical of barbar
" times and countries.
III Marigold; | think l recognize 20
= Aren't YOU initials L. ". used TO !
- T.? Please let me know If a.
right.
re CRIMSON. RAMBLER