File:China, in a series of views - displaying the scenery, architecture, and social habits of that ancient empire (1843) (14576992407).jpg

Identifier: chinainseriesofv3to4allo (find matches)
Title: China, in a series of views : displaying the scenery, architecture, and social habits of that ancient empire
Year: 1843 (1840s)
Authors: Allom, Thomas, 1804-1872 Wright, G. N. (George Newenham), 1790?-1877, editor Fisher, Son, & Co., publisher
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Publisher: London, Newgate Street Paris, rue St. Honoré : Fisher, Son, & Co.
Contributing Library: Getty Research Institute
Digitizing Sponsor: Getty Research Institute

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flight of birds observed—the sticksof fate thrown—and the stars appealed to. It is to this latter mode of ascertaining thesincere foundation of a mutual aifection, that Chaucer alludes, when he makes one ofhis most interesting heroines say— I followed aye my inclinationBy virtue of my constellation. When the stars are propitious, the astrologer is remunerated, and the match-maker is not neglected, especially when she appears at the residence of the young lady, to announce the agreeable tidings, and demand a written promise of marriage from her parents. Upon the signing of the contract, rich gifts are presented by the bridegroom, consisting of gold, silver, silk, sheep, wine and fruits, according to the wealth of the parties. From this moment the lovers may be considered as united; the youth now puts on a scarlet scarf, a joyous emblem, after which his father places formally on his head, first a bonnet of cloth, next a cap of leather, and lastly a mandarins or noblemans chaplet.
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i 1~ J >l ^ \ si^ ^ « A MARKIAGE PROCESSION. 59 The lady also changes her costume: she braids her hair as matrons do, fastening itwith a pin presented by her lover—her companions now shave her face, and performother friendly offices for her; after which they sit and weep with her, until the day shebids farewell to her parental home. On the day appointed by the astrologer, a procession, consisting of a variety ofobjects, and a vast multitude of performers, hired for the occasion, attends at theresidence of the bride, to conduct her home with every demonstration of joy and con-gratulation : articles of household furniture, chairs of various forms, but all with straightbacks, cushions, garments, lanterns, pavilions, and other valuables, are borne by theprocession-men. These articles are supposed to be presents from the bridegroom to hisbride, but being now a customary display, the whole may be hired from tradesmenwhose chief business is to furnish forth all such pageants. Tall fram

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