Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 1, 1890.djvu/428

422 the spokesmen ask the parents if they intend marrying her, what presents they would give, and in this way negotiations are set on foot.

Elsewhere, if a father wishes to marry his son to some girl, or if the lad has already set his affections upon a certain maiden, the first act is to woo her in the prescribed manner. Either the young man’s parents or specially appointed matchmakers proceed to the house of the bride-elect to broach the subject to her people. When the visit is made in the first instance by intermediaries, they report the result, and if their propositions have been favourably received, the young man’s parents go there on a later occasion. It is considered very unlucky that the object of their visit should be prematurely known. Should they encounter anyone by the way who remarks, “Ah! I know where you are going; you are going to make a match for your son,” they will at once retrace their steps and postpone their errand for another day. If they are fortunate enough to reach their destination unnoticed, they are received by the girl’s parents as though the purpose of their coming were unsuspected. By hints the young man’s father lets the girl’s parents understand that it would be by no means a bad business were they to become connected. As soon as the object of the visit is thus disclosed the visitors are removed to the seat of honour, and negotiations are now begun. A wax candle is placed on the table, and prayer is made in the following terms:—“O mother, Yurt azyr ava, O Kud azyr ava. that giveth suck, O deceased ancestors, bless our intention; give a young couple luck, riches, and many children.”

The girl’s father then cuts off a corner of a loaf with three slashes of a knife, salts it, and places it under the threshold where the Penates are believed to frequent. This is called the “god’s portion”. For a long time they haggle about the price (pitne) to be paid for the bride and about