Page:Pearl of Asia (Child JT, 1892).pdf/275

Rh but allow us to inquire how much will you give maa ch'in (the bride) as her portion ?" They answer. * Should the honorable parents of the young man dlo as we proposo we will givo our daughter as her toon (dowry) one thousand ticals and two or three slaves." This done and all the arrangements perfected, the bride- groom is taken to the residence of the bridc, so that he can pay his respects to her parents, prostrates himsell on the floor before them and eraves their permission to see their daughter and that he may be allowed to call from time to time as he may desirc, which is granted, and from that timo on he is regardod as one of the fainily. The bridegroom then commences the erection of his house adjacent to and aided by his father-in-law and other friends. The astrologers are now consulted as to when an auspicious day will arrive for the ceremony, and it being determined the relatives and friends soon comm- plete tho building and then the parents of the iwo parties select five friends to receive the money and two white garments, presents to the parents of the bride, with the wedding cakes and betel, according to the agreement. These things are conveyed in a proccssion headed by & band of musie and aro presented to the parents of the bride, who bring forth the dowwry and slaves, publicly giving them to the bride.

After this coremony they all repair to the new house and are duly seated, the white raiment is exhibited and the money brought by both parties spread out on the floor and counted; the two sums are then mixed together, fragrant oil and flour and a little paddy seattered over the heap, symbolic of blessings asked for, that their rice, oil and perfumery may ever abound. The money is then handed to the mother of the bride