A CHINESE BETROTHAL.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 318, 3 October 1908, Page 11

A CHINESE BETROTHAL.

In the majority, of Chinese betrothals neither the bride nor the bridegroom is consulted, do not, even sec' each other' till after the marriage ceremony has been performed, and have never even met once,, not even : at the signing of the nuptial contract'(says an Australian ;paper).' According to .Chineso law there must be an official match-maker. Once the nuptial' contract is signed the bridal-pair-are considered definitely engaged to each other, the law itself being powerless to free them unless on statutory-grounds.; . The ceremony .of betrothal is ■ never con-, eluded without .'resorting to what-is known | as'"the comparison of the Eight Characters." These consist,,, ofeight.letters/;, which/ in groups of two, designate in certain combinations the year, fho month, the day and the hour of th 9 birth of each contracting party. Compatibilities and incompatibilities of temper in either ;of the ( ,; pair . arc said to be denoted by the figures, ' arid each of tho marrying couple ,will have, no excuse ,there ; after for. pleading any--but' statutoiy grounds in the event of their-seeking divtircc. When the parents' or guardians have decided as to the .fate of the still unconscious pair, these being in entire ignorance of the nuptial contract, tho mother of each of the, betrothed couple/.announces to her child that a marriage-' has J been arranged. Straightway thje' man begins 'io chant a marriage song/which ho. has been labouring on since his college days'in purposeful view of the inevitable event-of' marriage, for l bachelors ai*e held in great contempt among tho Chinese. When the young lady hears of her impending' marriage from, her mother's lips she forthwith calls upon her servant to tako her to the bath„'where, in a kind of ecstasy and trembling, she performs .her ablutions. V, ' Between the .time of the engagement and the marriage a month or two .may elapse.' The bride remains invisible to all except her mother. On the day of marriage the bridegromm in 'his own particular palanquin goes to the girl's houso and claims his wife. The girl falls on her knees, and her husband tears tho)'veil she is. wearing from ber face, singing again the marriage song prepared during his!.college..days.,: ; .