ORANGE BLOSSOMS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIV, Issue IX, 2 March 1895, Page 210

ORANGE BLOSSOMS.

CASELBERG—ALEXANDER. The marriage ceremonies of the Hebrews have undergone a vast change or modification with the lapse of ages, and the assimilation of Jews with modern and Western ideas. Many details of minor importance, such as the preparations for the weddingday. the ornaments worn by the bride and bridegroom, have disappeared entirely from the ceremonial, as being no longer in accord with modern progressive ideas. In old Talmudic times a marriage was an event not quickly forgotten by the parents and friends of the bride and bridegroom, the preparations for the occasion being of so elaborate a character—minute in detail as far as dress, ornaments. and provision for merry-making of friends were concerned. The marriage was the * Ultima Thule of the Jewish maiden, and the event was regarded as of such importance in the individual and natural life that it was said. • He who dies unmarried has only lived half his days ' The marriage of the child was already anticipated at its birth—preparations for the gladsome event were actually begun with the birth of the child—a cedar tree was planted, its branches constituted the supports of the canopy under which the ceremony took place. According to the Talmudic doctors ‘ a man should marry at eighteen.’ and in that age of innocence and simplicity the advice was regarded as thoroughly practical and sound : whether its adaptability, however, to the complex conditions of the present is still open to doubt, being a matter of conjecture and discussion.

Certain days were fixed for the ceremony of marriage. In olden times the betrothal, between which and the marriage a long interval frequently elapsed, was as binding as the marriage. The selection of the bride was followed by the ‘ betrothal,’ which was

rather a formal proceeding, a document of betrothal being signed by the bridegroom and the father of the bride. Subsequent to the betrothal the woman lost power over her property, and it became vested in her husband. How different to these days of enlightenment and emancipation and women’s rights to hold property in her own name. The ceremony of the betrothal was followed usually by the presentation of gifts to the bride by the bridegroom, and his parents. The religious marriage document is identical with the old legal * bill of marriage ’ used by the Jews in

Talmudic times. It is written in Aramic. the vernacular of the Bay lonian Jews after the Exordia, and is strictly a legal document replete with all the usual intricacies of legal phraseology repetitions, etc., which so gladden the heart of the lesal practitioner, and prove such a pitfall for the unwary dabbler in law. The marriage under the canopy is a ceremony which dates back to a period of remote antiquity, the simple canopy has. however, in the course of evolution, developed into a highly elaborate and ornamented covering. The bridegroom, when putting the ring on the finger of the bride, repeats with the Rabbi the ancient formula. • Behold thou art set aside to me through this ring, according to the law of Moses and Israel.’ This, according to Jewish law, is the act which unites the couple in marriage. The ceremony of breaking the glass is symbolical of the union in this life which must ultimately be broken by death. The wedding of Miss Cora Maud Alexander, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Isidore Alexander, Symonds-street. Auckland, to Mr Lionel Caselberg. son of Mr Myer Caselberg. of Masterton, was celebrated on Tuesday afternoon at the Jewish Synagogue. The building was crowded with the guests and friends of Mr and Mrs Alexander, who have a large circle of acquaintances. Rabbi Goldstein officiated. The bride was given away by her father, and. as is the custom in Jewish weddings, the bridegroom also was given away by Mrs Harry Keesing and his best man, Mr L. Nathan, of Wellington.

The Jewish bridegroom takes the prominent place in a marriage ceremony, but a young and charming bride ever retains prominent interest for all the onlookers, and a hush of subdued e xcitement fell upon the crowded synagogue as the bride in queso n entered. She looked Jovelv in a gown of ivory Ondine silk

handsomely trimmed with Brussels lace, crepe-de-chine and tulle, with court train, tulle veil and bridal wreath of orange blossoms. The bridesmaids were six in number—Misses Stella Alexander. Rose Nashelski. Dolly Davis. Minnie Posseniskie. and Jenny and Kitty Caselberg. the two latter sisters of the bridegroom. They were all attired alike in pretty frocks of cream crfcpon with bouillons of gold silk around the foot. Brussels net fichus trimmed with gold b£be ribbon and pleatings, and most becoming picture hats of black velvet with gold embroidered crowns, black feathers, and gold roses completed the costumes. Bride and bridesmaids all carried lovely shower bouquets of hothouse blossoms. The bridegroom was attended by five gentlemen besides Mr Nathan, namely the Messrs Caselberg (two of his brothers), and Messrs Ernest Schatz, Ernest Davis, and Arthur Myers. Mrs Isidore Alexander, mother of the bride, wore a beautiful and elaborate gown of black silk chiffon and jet, with black satin sleeves brocaded in blue and gold, vest of pale blue velvet trimmed with jet ornaments, pale blue velvet bonnet stylishly trimmed with jet brilliants, and ospreys. As space and time will not permit me to describe here the many rich costumes worn by the ladies of the wedding party, and the beautiful presents, I will do so in my next week's letter. The ceremony concluded, the wedding party, numbering Howards of 150 guests, drove to the Masonic Hall, where a recherche repast of Canning’s providing, was partaken of. during which the happy couple left amid a host of congratulations and good wishes to spend their honeymoon at Rotorua and Taupo. In the evening the Masonic Hall was transformed by th» magic aid of ferns and flowers and fairy lamps into a perfect ball-room, in which Mr and Mrs Alexander entertained about a hundred young people to a delightful dance. The bride’s going away dress was Gobelin blue Amazon cloth, with feather trimming, black lace moire ribbons, cape and black beaver hat to match : a second visiting hat for the costume is of black chip, lined with black velvet and trimmed with feathers and brilliants. This costume and a great part of the trousseau was made in Melbourne, and the bridal gown and bridesmaids* frocks at Milne and Choyce’s, Auckland. * The bridegroom’s gifts to his bride are a lovely bangle and brooch of pearls and diamonds. He also presented each of the bridesmaids with gold brooches of pearls and diamonds, and sapphires and diamonds, respectively. Mrs Alexander has given her daughter a beautiful turquoise and diamond brooch, while the bride’s father presented her with a cheque. (BY TELEGRAPH.)} MR H. MUNRO—MISS ANNIE PEEL. A pretty wedding took place at Lower Hutt, Wellington, on Friday, the groom being Mr H. Munro, and the bride Miss Annie Peel, daughter of Rev. J. Peel, of Burghuallan Rectory, Doncaster, England. The wedding took place from Sir James Hector’s residence, Petone. The bride wore a blue costume trimmed with white cloth and passementerie, toque to match with violets. Lady Hector, brown merveilleux trimmed with blue, brown bonnet: Miss Hector. Gobelin blue gown, white hat with turkey feathers; Miss Jean Munro (cousin of the bridegroom), blue and white costume, sailor hat t Mrs Stowe, black crepe gown trimmed with mauve and white brocade; Miss M. Stowe, pink gown, picture hat with feathers : the Misses Inna and Marjorie Hector, white muslin frocks, white lace hats. The bride was given away by Mr L. Stowe. Sir James Hector being away. Her travelling dress was of drab covert coating, sailor hat. MR W. S. REID TO MISS EMMA HALSE. A quiet wedding came off at St. Paul’s Church, Wellington, on Saturday morning, when Miss Emma Haise, eldest daughter of the late Henry Haise, was married to Mr W. P. Reid, Solicitor-General. The bride’s gown was of lavender silk trimmed with white lace, white bonnet, and pretty bouquet. There was one bridesmaid. Miss Eva Haise, who wore a pretty white costume. Only old family friends and relations were present at the ceremony, which was performed by the Rev. T. H. Sprott, assisted by the Rev. H. P. Tuckey.