Year: 1868

A letter from the chicago Ir!6une
says: =


The second day of my sojourn in
Canton afforded me permission to
witness a Chinese marriage procession
and ceremony. was passing through
one of the broadcst narrow streets
when my ears were saluted by a blast
from a number of horns similar to
those blown through the streets OF
American cities by half-grown boys
on Christmas Eve. L asked Of my
guide the meaning of the noise, and
was informed that it was wedding
procession. I accordingly stopped
for the purpose of obtaining a good
sight of the novel procession. First
there came fourteen hornblowers,
dressed in long, flowing scarlet gowns
and black hats. These were mar
shalled by a fellow who marched by
their side, carrying in his hand q
short sword. He was dressed in a
similar manner, with the exception
that his hat was red and his garments
white. These we're followed by a
party carrying roasted hog upon a
table; then came table covered with
sweetmeats, third one covered with
f,.,;ts fourth with roasted poultry Of
every description, fifth with a sheep,
the wool of which had been shaved
off, which ever and anon bleatete in a
most melancholy manner. These
tables were carried by persons dress
ed in white gowns, wfth the black
skull cap so popular in China.


About one hundred persons follow
ed, dressed in gay colors, and then
came sedan chair of the most gor-
geous description. 1t was carried
BY four virgins dressed in white and
red. Immediately behind the chair
walked the; bride carrying in her
hand small package. She kept
her eyes bent upon the ground, look
ing neither to the right or left. I'M.
mcdiately behind her followed two
women carrying small packages in
their hands, and behind them were q
dozen virgins scattering. joss paper
t44a l9 szer4 y direction! E!a TAfse were - y
were riding in chairs, and surrounded
by body guard, who scattered bits
of paper throughout the street. A
number of other chairs brought up
the rear.-Every few yards the pros
cession would halt for moment and
receive the congratulations of those
in the street; it would then move for
ward to the blast of the horns.


. The scene was novel one, and [
determined to see its termination;
therefore l informed my guide of my
determination, and we turned and
followed the procession. Passing
through a number of streets, the pro-
cession at last halted in front of a
large house, which [ afterwards
learned was the house of the brides
groom. The door opened, and the
parents of the latter came forth, ac>
companied by a number of persons
dressed in blue, and taking the bride
by the hand, led her into the house,
and into large room, in the centre
of which, seated on a mat was the
bridegroom waiting to receive her
She seated herself on the mat beside,
him, and remained there without say
ing a word until the entire procession
had crowded into the room. The
parents of the happy couple then had
sort of pow-wow, which the guide
could not explain. The parents of
of the bridegroom then paid the sum
of money to the parents of the 6 lrl:


The women who had accompanied
the bride now advanced to her, and
taking hold of her hair unplaitcd it
and combed it out. They prepared
mixture, with which they annointed
her hair, after which they proceeded
to redress it; this time, however, in
the stylein which married women wear
it. Having completed the capillary
labors, they proceeded to remove a
portion of dress and substitute for it
a robe Of dark color. This having
been done, all who were in the room
advanced to the happy couple and
addressed them, saying many pleas
ant complimentary things. The feast
that had been prepared was now
brought into the room, and the work
of devouring it began. The doors of
the house remained open till nig ght-
fall, aid the horn-blowers stood in
front of it, footing with all their
might, for the purpose of conveying
information to the public that wed>
ding was progressing, and inviting
them to enter the house and bestow
their congratulation upon the happy