Year: 1873

with the manner in which the mar
of the natives are conduct
ed. This arises mainly from their in
ability, in most cases, to converse in
the language of the country; and also
from the fact, that they commonly live
in settlements apart from the Chinese
cities, properly so called, and that their
is solely with the trading
part of the population, who communi-
cate with them in a jargon known as
"pigeon Cor pidgin) English" and who
are particularly averse to giving the
foreigner an accurate or
insight into the relations
of their domestic life and concerns
Hence it is easy to understand that
persons may pass many years in China
without knowing more of the mar
riages, funerals, &C., of the people a.
mong whom they dwell, than can be
gathered from seeing a chance process
sion in the streets.


In China, as in most other countries,
betrothal or engagement precedes mar
riage, but the parties chiefly concerned
have commonly but little to do with
the matter. The usual course pursued
is for the parents of the man who seeks
a wife to engage the services of a go
between, who is furnished with a
''card," or rather an oblong piece of
paper, setting forth the ancestral name
and 'eight characters of the intend
ing bridegroom. These eight charac-
ters exhibit the precise time of his
birth; and the exactness required by
ancient superstitious observances is so
great that not only are the year, moon,
and day given, but even the 'Fperiod''
Of the day is stated In many cases,
the go-between is even intrusted with
the delicate duty of finding an eligible
family to open negotiations with.


A suitable family having been select
ed, the card is handed in, and an offer
of marriage is made; if the proposal be
entertained, "a species of soothsayer is
consulted to determine whether the
eight characters Of both parties are
sufficiently in harmony for them to be-
come husband and wife. Should he
come to an affirmative conclusion, and
the offer of marriage be accepted by the
lady's parents on her behalf, the 60
hetWeen takes back to his principals q
s'card," giving the same particulars, as
mentioned above, with regard to the
damsel. At this point aditficulty may
occur, for if anything which is deemed
WnzWcky should chance to happen, even
though it be of such nature as would
appear most trifiing and ridiculous to
us, the whole affair is not unfrequent-
ly broken off.


The betrothal being now duly ar
ranged, the intending bridegroom and
his family forward various presents
such as ornaments for the hair, brace
lets, food, &c.-in ratification of the
engagement; and in return, the family
of the bride-elect send some trifing
articles. The value of the presents
sent at this and other periods, OF
course, varies materially according to
the position and wealth of the contract
ing parties, and furthermore, they are
usually sent to various members Of the
two families, and are not confined to
the affianced pair.


The nuptial sedan-chair is sent by
the family Of the Bridegroom on the day


before the wedding, sometimes on the
day itself. 1t is red in color, and is


borne by four men, wearing the tradi-
tional official hats or caps, which are
made of felt or straw, according to the
season Of the year. The sedan-chair
is generally accompanied by servant
bearing a bridal umbrella, which is
also red, and of the same style as is
used in official professions, but not in
the least like the European article
others carry red lanterns and lighted
torches, and there is band of music
I(?) in attendance.


On the nuptial day, the bridegroom
undeegoes the peculiai ceremony OF
placing a cap on his head, and a bless
ing is said over him. Some say that
If strict etiquette be folloged, the
bride-elect should weep for the ten
I0fOhIASo P1OOCo1lS ouO WCuolHS, III
which ceremonial observance it is Gus
tomary that she should be joined by
her immediate female relations, whom
she is about to leave.


The bride, attired in an elaborately
embroidered robe, is generally conduct
ed to her sedan-chair early in the morn
ing of the happy day, crackers explod-
ing, and music playing rather bray
iag-the while. We have heard that
there are districts where custom OBJ
tains that wheaton cakes should now


be thrown up in the air and caught in
a coVerlet; ceremony which cannot


be considered much more absurd than
the practice of throwing the slipper at
home. Then the procession starts fo1
the brides new abode, accompanied by
more crackers and more so-called mu-
sic. First in order come four lanterns,
two with the bridegroom's clan name
painted on them, and two with the
brides. These lanterns are usually OF
paper, and are carried aloft in the all


by their bearers at the end of poles
the characters pasted On them are red
The umbrella, torches, and soi-djsG1,1