MARRIAGE IN THE CELESTIAL EMPIRE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3029, 11 March 1881, Page 4

MARRIAGE IN THE CELESTIAL EMPIRE.

Thirty pairs of embroidered slippers are necessary for the trosseau of a Chinese lady in position, and her boudoir is crammed with confectionary, diied fruit, burned almonds, bnrley-sUgar, syrup of aloes, oranges, ginger, and shaddocks, all in confusion with rich silks, jewels of wrought gold and precious stones, rings, bracelets, cases for the nails, bodkins for the hair, and a thousand other charming niek-naoks. In this strange country a young woman, when she marries, never has a dowry. She is literally purchased either by the husband himself or by his relations. Although she may have no brothers she cannot inherit any portion of her paternal fortune unless her father makes an express declaration in her favour. Such arrangements are always completed beforo marriage, and are usually negotiated by agents, called "Meijin." The young fiancee is next presented to the husband's parents. The husband himself Bhe never sees until the wedding-day, when she is carried in a closed chair to the house. The key of the chair is handed to the bridegroom, who opens the door, and, if the lady within pleases his taste, he holds out his hand to her; if not he slams the door, and the engagement is at an end, the girls parents having the right to retain the pur-chase-money.—Exchange.