i
1841
Notices of China, No. V. -
67
cannot have his bride till the stipulated price has been paid, and he is furthermore obliged to pay the additional expenses incurred when she quits the paternal roof, and goes to live with her husband..
At length; when the money is paid, and the time for the marriage comes, the guests resort to the house of the bridegroom, to celebrate it. The courier, who acts as guide to the chair-bearers, accompanied by a person appointed to direct the movements of the bride, takes the lead; yet before starting, they consult an astrologer, to ascertain whether the day is propitious or unfavorable. In the latter case, they take care to provide themselves with a large piece of pork, so that the demon, which in the form of a tiger, may be likely to oppose them, being wholly occupied in devouring the meat, may leave them unmolested. Mean time the maiden, rising before dawn, makes her toilet in the haut ton of elegance, dressing herself with her richest jewels and apparel. The best garments are concealed by others less beautiful worn over them, and the whole is covered by a bridal dress, which is simply a large mantle that completely envelops her. She is also muffled up in an enormous hat, resembling a flat wide basket, that descends to the shoulders and covers the whole figure. Thus attired she takes her seat in a red [and gilt] sedan, borne by four men. All who meet her upon the road are obliged to yield the path, even though it be the viceroy of the province that passes by. The sedan is entirely closed, so that she can neither see nor be seen. At a little distance from it, one or more chests of the same color as the sedan, contain, ing the apparel of the bride, are borne in state. Most commonly they contain nothing but old petticoats and small linen, the sport of all sorts of vermin. Custom requires that, during the time of the pro- cession, all those who form the train should weep and cry, and until they arrive at the bridegroom's house, no music is heard but that of wails. [?] If however the distance is great they make a pause, and only resume their lamentations when near the end of the journey.
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At last, the courier, who is in advance of the train some minutes, arrives at the house all panting for breath, knocks loudly at the door, and cries out with vehemence, "There she is!" and at once a multi- tude of crackers, to the noise of which are added the discordant sounds of many instruments of music, announce to the neighborhood the arrival of the bride. As she stops at the door, the bridegroom hastens to conceal himself in the most retired part of the house, and there closets himself, now and theu putting his eye to the key-hole to see what is transpiring without. The go-between, who accompanies
spouse, then takes a little child, if there be one in the house, and ·
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