Year: 1873

metic and sweet incense being rubbed
upon her Being unable to stand the
intense heat and overpo@ering smell
any longer, we escaped for time into
the open air, and returned after about
an hour to find another bride going
through the same ceremonies. Some Of
the bridesmaids We're very beautiful
one especially, though Jewiss, had
regular golden hair and blue eyes,
And the whole scene was like ballet
at the opera, or rather set OF ater-
nymths or naiads in picture, not like
any thing in real life Their glorious
hair floating over their shoulders, with
their beautifully modelled arms rounded
in graceful curves as they disported
themselves around the bride, would
have driven q painter or u sculptor wild
with delight. But / could not get over
the indelicacy Of the whole thing; it was
scene in the nude with a vengeance.


At half past three o'clock, the follow
ing morning, we got up and went to the
brides house for the conclusion of the
ceremony. A great crown Of men and
musicians were grouped in the lower
court. Above, the bride was sitting in
state, in the deep recess of a handsome
Moresqne room, yelled in white gauze,
while red and gold figured scarf hung
in graceful folds behind her head On
either side of her were two venerable
looking old men, with long white beards
and in front Of her another, holding
candelabrum with three candles. They
were rahbis, and chanted psalms alter.
nately with songs of praise about " the
dove with the beautiful eyes," etc., in
fact, sorter cantick All this time the
minstrels in the quadrangnlar below
were making a noise, while over the
carved gallery above, looking down
upon them, leaned variety of Jewish
women, all beautifully dressed in brown
satin and velvet, with stomachers and
girdles richly brocaded in gold, and
gold embroidered lappets hanging from
the black silk head dress, which is the
invuiable costume of the race. This
went on four hours, till the poor little
bride looked quite worn out. From
time to time spoonfuls Of soup were put
into her mouth, which she strove to re-
sist and then she was conducted into
the court below, where the same cere-
monies were gone through, except that
species of butfooned dance before her,
and was rewarded by ten franc bits put
into his mouth. Everything was done,
both up stairs and down, to make the
bride laugh, even to chucking md pull
ing her under the chin. But she re
NAMED impassiye, it being part Of her
business to look grave, and to prove
that she was old enough to be married.
All of n sudden the same unearthly yell
of "I4il III, Ii ~ was heard in the out
side court, caught up instantly by every
one in and out of the house. | thought
Of the words, "Behold the bridegroom
cometh - SO exactly were the traditions
preserved. A very ordinary looking
youth, in frock coat and red fez, ac-
cordingly made his appearance, and
then the women covered their faces
with gauze handkerchiefs, and the men,
who had never ceased eating and drink
ing at intervals during the whole night,
formed themselves into a procession,
while the brides father, Il venerable
looking old jew, with a long, white
beard. white turban and crimson sash
led her to the carriage which was to
take her to the bridegroom's home, We
all following, and the women's cry OF
eli! Iii! Lii" resounding through the
narrow streets.