THE
CHINESE REPOSITORY.
VOL. X.-FEBRUARY, 1841.- No. 2.·
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ART. I. Notices of China, No. V: marriage ceremonics, translat- ed and abridged from the Annales de la Propagation de la Fei From a letter of M. BOHET, missionary in Fuhkeën. By S. R.
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Ir is no uncommon thing in China, to contract matrimonial alliances for children before they are born, as follows. Two women mutually promise to marry their expected offspring, provided they be of differ- ent sexes; and to render the promise more obligatory, pledges are given; as for instance, a' ring and bracelet for her who shall be the mother of a daughter, and two fans of the same shape and color, for the one who shall give birth to a son. When this agreement is enter- ed into, it is almost impossible to withdraw from it. The mutual promise is afterwards written in a book with gilt leaves, consisting of a single sheet of paper. After the birth of the daughter, her name is recorded upon this document, together with those of her father and mother, and the place of her birth. As a matter of etiquette, the book is then sent to the parents of the boy, who receive it, and on their part› return a similar one to the other party. These formalities being finished, it is impossible to draw back, and the marriage must take place, except in case one of the children becomes a leper. We see then, that the affair of marriage is not a question of consent between the affianced parties, since it is concluded by the parents, long before the children are of an age to give it. This is the reason
·Dated Hinghwa foo, March 4th, 1832.
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