Page:Pearl of Asia (Child JT, 1892).pdf/277

Rh ble at the ney home and vic with each other in feeding the priests and themselves. Nothing preventing and the astrologers announcing that theday was propitious, the nuptials wil1 be closed that evening by the selection of a middle-aged couple, friends of the bride, who have been blessed with a numerons progeny, to arrange the bridal chamber and marriage bed. This is done under the belief that such service performed by so meritorious a couple will secure like blessings on the happy bride and groom. At 10 o'clock P.M. Some of the elders con- duet the bride ceremoniously to her new abode whicro she is reccived by her husband; they remain with them an hour or so, giving them the best counsels and exhortations of which they are capable, and then, beseeching from the fates the highest blessings of the marriage state to rest upon them, they retire and this eloses the nuptial ceremonies,

After two or tbree days the bridegroom takes the bride to visit his father's family, when sho prostrates herself before them, carrying with her a few presents for the different members of the family in the form of cakes, bouquets, etc. Iler father-in-law then makes her some valuable presents, generally jewelry. A few days after this the bride will conduct her husband on a cere- monial visit to her parents, at whose feet he will bow down when he will receive some valuable presents in silver or gold. At the time of the birth of the first child, the toon, which was committed to the care of the parent of the bride, is brought out and delivered over to the young mother. Up to this time they have lived upon her paronts, from thence onward they will hayo to care for themselves. The birth of the first child is celebrated by the relatives on both sides in bringing