The German Bride.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 78956, 11 August 1905, Page 4

The German Bride.

SOME Cl'KIOl'S MAMUAtiK Bl> I'EKSTITIOXS. T te ei waged couple in Germany are I surrnumhtl by many sii|ierstitionß I 'rtc.se aIV fostered b> Hie natural | lo\e oi romance inherent in the national clmracur, the Cenuan bride I c)fct|vimi£ to l}iem with iiU the font of hkr s-niimental nature. 'lTie tradition tlmt a marriago is happy which is contracted on the same day as a memler of the Royal house is strongly believed in and in in> oi tho prospective brides awaited anxiously the announcement of tho netting day of the t'ro.\n i'ri: < and the Grand Duchess CeCile. A do»Ue marriage, houv*vi\ is not in dercd lucky, especially that of two sisters, ore of whom it i- il. jure to be pun-ued by m;M<>rl uii".

M.-ny superstitions Centre round yie preparation of the trousseau. If 6h£ Injcs for I'nppiness, n ri■ I must not put a single stitch in her own wedding dress, but she is careful to direct that a piece of money be sewel linto the train. This is not only supposed to bring htr a superabundance of this world's goods, but it assures, h-r O-r upi or hand in the management Of the house. A popular superstition prevailing among Country people centres round the struggle for supremacy, the ruling position being secured to the one whose hand ivsts uppermost during the cere uiocv. T.ie oIJ-fai-hioned custom of dancing of! the bride's wreath is still adhered to in some parts of C!erniany. She is blindfolded, the unmarried men ar» formed in a ring round her, and as they dance with her in turn she throws apiece of her myrtle wreath ; the lucky man to catch tlic aprip will be the first to Biarryi. Her girl friends struggle in a Kke manner for a piece of her veil. The bride must be the last to loave the house for the chinch, and should on no occasion look back, even her carriage must not turn after she is once seated. If the weather be uupropitious. no h irm is done unless a drop of rain fall on the veil or myrlb wreath, when misfortune is ineviiaMf. The woiding itself is liound round with so many superstitions that it seems hardly possible for good for-

lime to await any couple. If the ride, through n.Tvuusness, let fall .(•i- !>oiMi'ift or lifj- handkerchief, illluck is sine to follow. Should the altar candles burn dear, the augury is good, but a dull flickering light pnsagc-i linhappiness. Tilt' ibride and bridegroom must l.c careful to stand close together dur ng th" ceremony : any light passin ;.ctween t'lein is a sure sign of pi. Inutile misfortune. ( ciolxr and No vember a re the luckiest months in the year for weddings.