Page:Wanderings of a Pilgrim Vol 1.djvu/514

 CHAPTER XXXVI.

THE MARRIAGE.

"TO DRESS ONE'S OWN DOLL ."

Spoken of a father who defrays the whole expense of his daughter's marriage, her dress, ornaments, &c., without any charge to the bridegroom or his family.

"HE WHO BUILDS A HOUSE AND TAKES A WIFE HEAPS SEVENTY AFFLICTIONS ON HIS HEAD ."

Pedigree of the Bride and Bridegroom—Reports concerning the Beauty of the Bride—Anxiety of English Gentlemen to marry into Colonel Gardner's family—Mirza Unjun Shekō—The first Procession—The Bride's Dress—Necessity of Weeping—The Oily Mixture—Strict Seclusion—Dress of the Bridegroom—The Oily Mixture Complimentary—The Hoolī—Bridal Songs—The Sāchak—The Bridegroom's Procession—Nāch Girls on platforms—The Menhdi—The grand Display in the Bride's Procession—The Parda—The Prince dyed with hinnā—Midnight the fashionable hour for Dinner—Wedding Dishes—Silvered Food—Conclusion of the Day—Mr. James Gardner—Mulka Begam highly respected; her will is law.

1835, March 18th.—Before entering on a description of the marriage ceremonies, it may be as well to explain the singular manner in which Colonel Gardner's family has intermarried with that of the Emperor of Delhi, which the annexed pedigree will exemplify.

William Gardner, Esq., of Coleraine, left a son.

William Gardner, Esq., Lieut.-Colonel in the 11th regiment of Dragoons. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Valentine Farrington, Esq., and had issue Valentine, born 1739, Allan,