42 On the third day, the bride and bridegroom march seven times round the sacred fire. On the fourth day, they dine together in public. On the fifth day, an offering of rice is sacrificed, the only religious ceremony except suttee , to which a woman is admitted. The ceremonies terminate by a triumphal procession.

In Sicily, marriages are according to the rites of the Greek Church. The bride is richly dressed in the ancient costume of gold and silver brocade, ornamented with precious stones. She walks to church with the bridegroom, leaning on his arm, while just before them, a number of musicians walk leisurely alone, enlivening the occasion with music. A boy in a long white robe accompanies the wedding party, carrying on his head a basket containing two nuptial crowns, and two wedding rings, one of gold and the other of silver.

At the moment the Priest gives the gold ring to the man, and the silver one to the woman, the crowns are placed on their heads, and they promise to love and cherish one another all their lives. The Priest then blesses a goblet of wine, and the bride and bridegroom both drink from the same glass, and divide a morsel of bread. 43 The Priest lays his hands upon their heads and pronounces the blessings of the church upon them. The veil which hides them from the gaze of the spectators is withdrawn, and the ceremony closes with a grave dance in the church, the music being from the organ and orchestra. The Priest and his clerk take part in the dance.

In Prussia, the minister gives his services in marrying people, and makes the bride a present.

In the good old times, a Persian girl who owned a little property--a hut of fishing boat-- was thereby authorized to select a husband herself. If she wished to commence her search for a husband, she hung up her blue apron in front of the door of the house, and posted herself behind it. The young men of the village passed by the apron one by one in a long procession, dressed in their best Sunday clothes. As soon as the right one appeared, the girl rushed out, threw her arms around his neck, and within three weeks there was a wedding.

In Syria, a few years since, 3,000 Christian girls were carried off to Turkey, and sold as wives, the sale being the only marriage ceremony.

The ceremony of marriage in Java is very curious. The bride and bridegroom are brought 44 before the Dukum or Priest, in the house they are to inhabit. They make an obeisance towards the south, then to the hearth, or fireplace, which is to be the scene of their domestic bliss. The third obeisance is towards the earth. Next, they raise their eyes to the upper story of the house for a few moments, after which the Priest says a long prayer, asking for a blessing of both husband and wife. The wife then goes through a ceremony indicative of her humility and willingness to serve her husband in all things, by washing his feet in public; after which the friends make them presents of household implements, in return for which they offer their friends betel nuts.

Among a tribe of people called Kocch, that live on the hills in India, as soon as a couple are married, the bridegroom goes to live with the family of the bride, and all his property is made over to her. In the island of Celebes, men were allowed to marry as many wives as they could support, just as they are in Utah, under Brigham Young.

In Hungary, they do not marry very young. The gentlemen pays marked attention to the lady for three, four, and sometimes five years. The gentleman employs an agent to exchange rings with the lady, and ask her hand. The 45 lady's father, in the presence of several witnesses, gives his consent. On the wedding morning, the young man's friends repair with joyous shouts, to the house of the bride's father, for the purpose of carrying off the bride, whom they conduct to church with the bridegroom.

After the ceremonies at church, the pair are escorted to the bride's home, amid firing of pistols, funs, and all the village artillery. The nuptial house is generally found closed, and stones are hurled at the door. When the door is opened, a table is seen, sumptuously covered with viands. The heroes of the occasion are seated with their intimate friends, and the whole company observe deep silence, while the blessing is asked. The proceedings terminate with a dancing party.

On the Sunday morning preceding a marriage in Bretagne, every invited guest sends a present to the young couple. On the bridal day, a band of music leads in a procession of friends who repair to the bride's house, where the door is immediately opened by a man with a wand in his hand, who points out to the party, in a long rhymed speech, that there is a castle somewhere in the neighborhood, where so gallant a company cannot fail to be well entertained. The bridegroom has also brought 46 his poet, who gives verse for verse, and compliment for compliment.

When the company demand the bride, the wrong person is brought forward. First an old woman, then a child, then a widow, and afterwards one of the bridesmaids. When this sport has continued until the patience of the company is exhausted and the bridegroom's poet's poetry, the real bride is brought forth to greet her betrothed, amidst the shouts of happiness that are heard from the party.

In Ireland, at the fair of Galway, it is a custom for all the marriageable girls to assemble and to tempt all wanting wives, by their captivating charms, to be made more happy for life. Says an American gentleman of the highest character, who was an eye witness, and invited by a nobleman to go and see these girls: --"At twelve o'clock precisely, we went, as directed, to a part of the ground higher than the rest of the field, where we found from sixty to a hundred young women, well-dressed, with good looks and good manners, and presenting a spectacle quite worthy any civil man looking at, and in which I can assure my readers there was nothing to offend any civil or modest man's feelings. There were the marriageable girls of the country, who had come to show themselves, on 47 the occasion, to the young men and others who wanted wives; and this was the plain and simple custom of the fair. I can plainly say that I saw in the custom no very great impropriety--it certainly did not imply that, though they were ready to be had, anybody could have them. It was not a Circassian slave market, where the richest purchaser could make his selection. They were, in no sense of the term, on sale; nor did they abandon their right of choice; but that which is done constantly in more refined society, under various covers and pretences--at theatres, at balls and public exhibitions, I will say nothing of churches--was done by these humble and unpretending people in this straightforward manner."

The Marriage ceremony in Turkey is as follows--A man sends his negro Eunuch to compel a woman he fancies to come to him--after an examination by the future husband, she is turned into his harlem if she suits him. A man is allowed seven wives in one house, and can have as many times seven as he has houses in different towns. When he becomes tired of a wife she is turned out to go her way. The Eunuch is master over these unfortunate women, acting like a shepherd dog, keeping them 48 herded together, and not allowing any one but the Turk to see them.

These women have no education, and are not required to do any work. The one that can master the rest is the favorite with the Turk. It is lawful for him to kill a wife if she violates his rules.

In Russia, the marriageable women are put in market once a year, and the men walk about and view them, and when one is seen that is fancied, a card is put into her hand--she hands hers to the admirer, and the courtship commences.

In Greece, a man will not marry so long as he has a marriageable sister. The youngest son believes it is his first duty to see his sisters all provided with husbands.

In some parts of South America, many do not marry until they have raised families. They can marry and have their children baptized, and they inherit the property. But if this is neglected, the property all goes to the church, and the family is left destitute.

Among the Nestorians, on the wedding night, the bridegroom gave the bride a kick with his foot and commanded her to pull off her shoes as a token of her submission.

It has been stated by Plutarch that the 49 Spartans always carried off their brides by a feigned force, in order to make it a legal Marriage. A Spartan woman appeared in public until she was married, but ever after she wore a veil.

In ancient Assyria all the marriageable young girls were sold in a public place at auction, and all the women were provided with husbands. Those who were very handsome sold for large sums, and the money was divided among the plain-looking ones.

A tribe of people in Barbary called Nasamones used to marry by drinking out of each other's hands. The parents arranged the match, and the bride's face was unveiled by the husband for the first time on their wedding day.

It has been stated that in some country the young lady rides a fleet horse, and if she desires to marry, she allows herself to be overtaken, but if the wrong suitor is likely to overtake her, she drops a golden apple, and while he is picking it up, the one she wishes to marry is allowed to overtake her.

Hon. I.S. Deihl, the celebrated Lecturer on Oriental and Bible Lands, relates many curious customs, among which are the two following:

50 In Armenia the young woman is brought to the mother of her affianced, who, in an angry manner, throws her a bundle of infant's clothes, places a little one in her arms and watches the Miss, who nervously dresses the babe, and if to the satisfaction of the future mother-in-law, she is allowed to marry, but if not, she is sent home to take fresh lessons in the art of baby-dressing.

In some places, the Circassian women are taken to a market and sold as wives to the highest bidder. Among the Circassians, a young woman is put on a horse's back, and compelled to ride over the plains until caught by some man, the catching being the only Marriage ceremony. It sometimes occurs that the husband is a speculator, and as soon as she is caught, he sends his property on another equestrian tour, and sells her to the successful capturer.

In some of the German states, a young woman lives with her affianced mother a year before her marriage, that she may learn all about household matters.

In Persia, the business of the bridegroom is transacted by an agent, and the contract is one of barter. The wedding festivities at the bride's 51 house last for ten days. On the last day the bridegroom sends the bride her trousseau, which consists of rich jewels, dresses and sometimes slaves and attendants. All sorts of wealth is displayed, and sometimes a great pretension is make, by carrying empty boxes. The bride is brought to the husband's house mounted on a camel , or a horse.

The Marriage itself is entirely an affair of bargain and sale, as the bride is taken in consideration of a certain dowry. Now and then the husband objects and the last moment to ratify the engagement he has made, and when his bride is brought home to him, refuses to receive her, stating himself unable or unwilling to pay so much. Then follows a long scene of bargaining, always, however, ending in a compromise, for it would be a great disgrace to the bride to be sent back. The marriage is seldom intended to last the lifetime of either party.

Marriages in Norway are usually solemnized in winter, when the peasants are comparatively unoccupied. A week before the ceremony is to take place, messengers are sent around to invite the proprietors and servants of neighboring farms. The room in which the ceremony is to take place, is decorated with green boughs. 52 After a substantial breakfast, the betrothed couple are brought forward by their relatives, and seated in state in the great room, where the priest blesses them, and when the prayers are finished, proceeds to a table, on which is placed a large plate. Addressing the company generally, he recommends the couple to their notice. The relatives then come forward, and deposit bright new crown pieces in the plate; then come the rich neighbors, who contribute according to their means, and lastly, the poorer friends, who each throw in their mite, towards setting up the household of the new-make wife. The festivities are kept up for two or three days.

In Arabia Felix, the views were all in common. When a man entered a house, he left his staff at the door as a sign that the woman was engaged.

In Persia, they formerly believed that married people were happier after death than single ones, and so if a person died single, they would marry some one to the corpse before burial. Some people hired persons to be espoused to their relatives who had died single and were buried without having been married.

In India, on the Malabar coast, among some of the lower classes, a man can have but one 53 wife, while a woman may have three husbands. All three contribute to the support of the children.

In the mountains of Jamaica, among the Maroons, when a girl is old enough to marry, her parents make a feast, and if a young man agrees with the girl to live together, they are considered married.

In Silesia, the peasants celebrate their Marriages very pompously. The bridal procession is headed by musicians, and the wedding cortege and horses are gaily decked with ribbons. On the Marriage morning, the bridegroom presents himself at the house of the bride, and, after an infinity of prayers, refusals, and cajoleries, the bride is brought forth. She is condemned to listen to a long list of rules for her future conduct and carriage. Then she gives her hand to her betrothed, and he lifts her into the carriage. As they proceed to the church, the guests eat cold provisions, and drink brandy.

After the ceremony at church, the party proceed to the bride's house, where, for three days, they have dancing. Their guests are given roast meat, cakes, beer, and spirits. After the three days have passed, the bride departs in her husband's wagon, often seated 54 on the top of a pile of furniture, which is her dowry. The first person who meets her in her new home, gives her a piece of bread.

When the Egyptian bride leaves her parents' home, for the dwelling of her husband, all her female friends and relatives accompany her, veiled like herself, and march under a dais , preceded by musicians and tumblers. The tumblers walk just before the ladies, and go through with various gymnastics, some of which consist in their standing upon their heads. After a sort of triumphal progress, the procession stops at the house of the future husband. Here the visitors are received, and the bride is conducted to the nuptial hall, where the husband, who has never seen his bride's face, though the marriage ceremony is over, is waiting to receive her.

The husband then advances, and lifts the veil that has hitherto hidden the features of the bride, and so perfect a command have the Mussulmans, in general, that they seldom betray any sign of pleasure or dissatisfaction at the beauty or plainness of the ladies upon whom their choice has fallen. The only male spectators of this ceremony are the brothers and father of the bride, for in Egypt the women are so jealously guarded, that no men are allowed to 55 look at them from their infancy, except their nearest relatives.

In Siberia, the bride is required, on her arrival at her husband's home, to invite guests to a dinner prepared by herself, and if pronounced good , it is a recommendation which is above all things to be desired by a woman.

In Japan, the bride's teeth are made black by some corrosive liquid to show that she is married. The laws allow man to marry all relatives except sisters.

In India, the Hindoo widows are not allowed to marry, however young they may be. The very day a girl becomes a widow, her colored clothes, silver and golden ornaments are all taken off. Henceforth, she has to dress in white, and wear no ornaments of any kind whatever during her lifetime. Her daily meals are reduced to one, and that is prepared in the simplest way possible. She is strictly prohibited the use of any sort of animal food. Each widow is required to cook her own food, and to abstain entirely from food and drink two days in every month. On the fast days, when the burning sun dries up the ponds and scorches the leaves of the trees, these poor victims faint and pant in hunger and thirst. If they are dying on the aku thusty 56 day, a little water will be put on the lips merely to wet them. They have no hope of ever changing their widowhood in the world.

A recent change in the law, however, now allows the marriage of widows, and a learned Brahmin, the Principal of Calcutta Sanscrit College, is earnestly engaged in redeeming their condition, by introducing the system of widow marriage.

Among some tribes of the North American Indians, the suitor enters the wigwam of the squaw he wishes to marry, and proceeding to the farthest corner of the room, commences throwing a few kernels of corn at the object of his affections, and if she retreats to another corner, and returns the throwing, his addresses are acceptable, but if she leaves the wigwam, he returns to his own. In another tribe, living near civilization, the lover leaves a violin near the door, and if it is taken in by the squaw, he returns and entertains her with music.

We come lastly to the happy bride in New South Wales, where no clothes are worn. The Marriage customs in this place are as brutal and savage as the people can well make them. A man, desirous of adding a gin or wife, to his establishment assembles a certain number of his particular friends, with whom he sallies forth to dog the footsteps of some neighboring tribe. With admirable patience the marauders watch for a favorable opportunity. When at length one arrives, they throw themselves upon the family, whose alliance their chief is anxious to secure, put all its members to flight, excepting the bride, whom they seize and hold fast.

Frantic with fear, she struggles and yells, but her cries are silences by blows with a heavy club, and faint and bruised, with her flesh on her back torn, and the blood covering the wounds, she is dragged through the bush. Her husband is the master of his slave and wife, all in one, and she is compelled to do all the disagreeable work, and the slightest dereliction of duty is visited by a severe administration of club law, from "her protector."