AN EGYPTIAN WEDDING.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 2, Issue 90, 21 June 1879, Page 3

AN EGYPTIAN WEDDING.

Hassan ftcy was to take to his harem on of the belles of Heluan is a watering place that the Vice-King wishes shall ♦■ciijise the famous bathing places (if Europe. It is a little green island .not far from Cairo. It is dotted with gleaming white houses, in the midst Of an immense glittering desert bordered by the Nile. Upon its farthest hank stand lofty palms overladen with golden and purple dates. Upon the horiion rise the PyraHiidH in sad, soleirin majesty. The women of Egypt look upon the place as a sort of Eden, where they can purchase all sorts of bijouterie and l'arsian nothings, ami spend their pocket-money as recklessly as their more oiviliaod sisters across the waters. But to return to the marriage. .Soon after my outraneo the bride, with all her attendants, came from the bath and entered the room. It was a brightly coloured picture. First came the slaves and servants of the house: in their right hands they held wax candles, in their left a green basin which contained henna for colouring the nails: the bride followed with her guests. Sho wore creamy einbroided slippers: the little cap upon her head set with precious stones, and lier long, blink shinning hair rippled over her shoulders, half concealed by a gold tissue veil. When she was seated tliuy painted her nails, the palms of her hands, her feet an orange yellow, ami then bound them in white

I linen. After this operation she retired, from sight, buL the guests remained, drank coffee, ate confections and cake smoked dainty cigars, and watched the f!|-dunce of tho bayaderes, listened to the '■ _■: songs of the Almalis, ami chattered as V only a lot of woni-u can do over the ap--j.. /profiling wvddiiig, the bride was held ?;',■ under a purple and gold canopy to the I house of tho bridegroom. We followed and went up the stone stairs to the vestabule of the harem. Hero ootfee and fine confections were served. Then the brides guests returned to her home to await the arrival of the bridegroom's mother, who leaves the house When he enters to claim the bride. An this ends the ceremony.