ART. IV. Description of a Chinese wedding; containing notices of the ceremonies performed on the occasion. Extracted from a journal at Singapore.

SINGAPORE, November 28th, 1835. Having been informed that a daughter of one of the principal Chinese merchants was about to be married, I solicited an invitation to attend and witness the ceremony. On arriving at the house of the bride's father, I was politely received by him, and invited to a seat in a room adjoining that in which the ceremonies were to take place, there to await the arrival of the bridegroom. As he did not arrive till nearly half an hour had elapsed, I improved my time in examining, with the father, the room where the daughter was to be married.

This was

Before the door which led into the street was a screen. On the right hand of the door, in front of a window, stood a narrow table, elevated on a bench and some old bricks, and covered with fruits and sweetmeats, having two or three small wax candles burning on each end of it. Beyond this, towards the interior of the house was a mat spread upon the brick floor, and still another smaller mat, of a finer quality and colors. On the side of the room opposite to the window and table above mentioned, was the family god, a large picture of a deified hero, and under it the family altar. fitted up for the occasion with a variety of showy ornaments, and sacrificial articles. Next to the wall was a screen about two feet square, formed of small square pieces of marble, each having some painting upon it set in a wooden frame. At each end of this stood a waxen candle about three feet high and three inches in diameter at the lower end; these were already lighted. Near each of them were several curious articles, composed of various colored sweetmeats, fruits, &c. fixed on long sticks of wood or wire; and between them a still more curious object, which it would be difficult to describe. The body of it was composed of green leaves, several of which were rolled together, and then the rolls stitched together in the form of a pyramid. Into each roll of leaves was inserted a slender stick, some of which were covered with sweetmeats and dried fruits, and others with leaves and flowers. In the top of the pyramid of leaves, was a stick with numerous branches covered with leaves and flowers and sparkling tinsel. These were but a part of the curious and gaudy ornaments on the altar. Between this altar and the carpet mentioned above, were set seven chairs, with cloth embroidered with gold-thread spread over them. One of these stood with its back towards the family god, and the others on the right and left in front of it. A table stood in the middle. The walls of the room were hung with papers bearing various inscriptions, some of which were expressive of good wishes towards the couple about to be married.

When I entered, there were several men in the room preparing for the wedding. At length, the word was given, "coming;" on which a young friend of the parties put on a long light colored silk gar. ment over his usual dress; and the father asked if all was ready. Soon it was proclaimed again, "coming;" and the young man put on a longer and larger garment of figured light green satin, reaching to his feet. Again they said "coming," and he completed his dress by putting on a dark purple robe of figured satin, and a pyramidal cap with red hair fixed in the apex, and descending on all sides nearly to the rim. This person was the "receiver of guests.'

The sound of music was now heard, and they prepared "to meet the bridegroom." He came in a procession preceded by music, dressed like the "receiver of guests," and attended by six companions, each bearing an immense umbrella, and other persons bearing poles of bamboo with branches and green leaves upon them, and sustaining between each pair a piece of red cloth about three yards long. On his arrival near the door, a kind of paper basket filled with Chinese crackers was carried out, and the crackers burned with great uproar. The receiver of guests met him at the door and performed the usual ceremony. As he entered the door, a nephew of the bride, splendidly dressed in embroidered satin with much tinsel and a little gold, advanced and presented him an orange. The receiver of guests then conducted the bridegroom to the carpet, already described, and placing him at one end and himself at the other, they bowed to each other; and then by three measured long steps they exchanged places and bowed again; and then at last he conducted the bridegroom to his seat at the head of the table, and pretended to arrange the cloth for him. They here bowed to each other over it, then he went to receive others, leaving the bridegroom standing, and performed the same ceremonies with each of the six friends of the bridegroom; they then took their places, bowed, and sat down. Tea was then brought, three cups in succession, and finally betel Soon after these were removed, my attention was drawn towards the interior of the house, where the bride made her appearance splendidly dressed and veiled, and attended by several females. She advanced with down-cast eyes and a very low step, designed doubtless to imitate that of the little footed ladies of China. On coming to the threshold of the room, she paused, and waited without the motion of a muscle, or any expression of sentiment in her face, the coming of her future companion. As for him, when he knew she had come in sight, he cast an eager eye sideways to catch a glimpse of her as soon as possible. He very soon left his chair, walked round before his companions to the door where the bride stood, and they bowed to each other, she raising her hands slowly to the level of her shoulders and letting them fall as slowly, and with the same immoveable, inane countenance as before; and then turned and walked away. He bowed less deliberately, then turned to his companions with a smile of satisfaction playing on his countenance, gave them a slight bow, and followed the bride.

nut.

Thus ended the ceremony for to-day. It is to be renewed again after two days, and at the house of the bridegroom, whither the bride is to be conducted. When the ceremony was over, I conversed a little with one of the bridegroom's friends who had acted the part of negociator for the parties, (i. e. for the fathers of the bridegroom and bride,) before the wedding. He told me the bride had been in the inner apartments for eight or ten years; and that the bridegroom had never seen her before. He said also that she

could not read.

30th November. Went to the house of the bridegroom to see the conclusion of the wedding. The arrangement of the room where the ceremonies were to be performed was very similar to those at the house of the bride's father. On a table standing before the family altar, were placed at one end more than twenty female garments, and a pair of shoes; on the other end, slips of red paper inclosing dollars with names written upon them; and on the middle, a waiter on which was laid a belt, said to be wholly of gold and to have cost two hundred dollars, a splendid large buckle for it, a handsome bosom pin, and several rings. All these were presents to the bride from various relatives and friends. The names on the papers were the names of the donors, who gave as many dollars as their ability allowed or disposition prompted them to do. The table was covered with a red velvet cloth, embroidered with gold thread; and at each end of it stood a chair with a similar cloth upon it.

While I was waiting the arrival of the procession two coolies came in, bearing between them a stout pole covered with cajang, (a kind of long leaf like flag leaves, stitched together,) under the cover of which was something more substantial; I soon ascertained that it was a lady, who was brought in this style to the wedding. The carriage consisted merely of the pole and cajang with a cloth, the ends of which were tied to the pole, and the middle, hanging down two or three feet and spread out, afforded a seat for the lady. Several others were brought in the same way; and as the carriages seemed to have been thoroughly used, I conclude this is the method in which they are usually conveyed from place to place. A more uncomfortable and degrading method could scarcely be imagined. But Chinese custom and opinion do not allow them to be seen, and they are not considered worthy of a better carriage.

The report being made that the procession was near, a man in the dress of ceremony like that worn the other day by the receiver of guests, began to bow and worship; first towards the altar at the window, to the gods, to whom he bowed ten or twelve times with his head to the floor; then towards the family altar, to the family relatives, to whom he bowed four times. Before commencing this, he lighted several inceuse sticks and bowed slightly with them in his hands, and set them in a dish of ashes upon the altar towards which he bowed; and also burned incense enough to fill the room with smoke. The procession was like that of the former occasion

but less numerous, and the bridegroom and bride came in palanquins; he, attended by the little boy who presented him the orange on the 28th, and she, by three little girls of the same age, splendidly set off with embroidered silk of very brilliant colors, and gaudy head-dresses.

The bride was assisted to descend from her carriage by her attendants, and on coming near the door was presented with an orange by a little girl dressed like those just mentioned. At the door, the bride and bridegroom bowed to each other. They took their places on a mat between the two altars, first facing that near the window, towards which they both kneeled, and he bowing with his head to the ground, while she performed an equivalent ceremony by settling back upon her feet in a very graceful manner. They then rose, and knelt again, repeating the ceremony several times, and then turning towards,the family altar did the same. Her attendants carefully arranged the skirts of her long garments as she knelt, that they might not receive injury, nor entangle her feet. Her eyes were down-cast, her face uncovered, and her features as immoveable as if made of marble. He appeared rather careless and impatient to be done with the ceremonies.

After their worship in this room, they went into the interior of the house, and performed similar prostrations there. They then returned to the outer room, and their relatives began to come forward to eceive their reverence. They both knelt before each of them. First came three or four men, then as many women, each of whom on going out touched the hands of the bride; then came an old man, an elder brother of the bridegroom's father, who showed much kindness in his manner towards the bride and helped her to rise from her knees; then followed several women, some of whom were dragged into the room by force, as they manifested much reluctance from real or pretended bashfulness. The bridegroom frequently went into the inner room to call for these persons, and the poor bride stood motionless in her place awaiting his return, till some of the by-standers pitying her weariness brought a chair in which she sat when at leisure.

During the intervals between these ceremonies I had opportunity to observe the appearance of the bride. She was about eighteen years old, of the middling stature of females here, though shorter than European ladies generally are. Her face was pretty enough, but rather too wide, and destitute of expression. Her beautiful black hair was tastefully done up, and ornamented with white and yellow artificial flowers, and encompassed by a tiara of black velvet on which were eight little yellow images of the 'på seën,' or eight genii, which they would have people think were of gold. Her dress was embroidered satin of different colors, red, yellow, white, and green; she wore fine white stockings, and a pair of Chinese shoes, the fore part only of which being seen when she walked, they made a very clumsy appearance. When the ceremonies were ended, they both went into the interior apartments, and took tea and other refresh_

ments. While there, I saw for the first time some movements besides those required by the rules of ceremony. After a few minutes they came out and took their palanquins to return to her father's, bowing at the door. The carriage of the bride moved first, preceded by servants bearing the presents of clothes, &c., noticed above. The din of music continued during the movement of the procession as well as during all the ceremonies of this and the former day, and was quite insufferable. On reaching her father's house they bowed at the door, and proceeded to the upper rooms. She soon returned, and took out the upper stick of the leaf-made-pyramid with its flowers and spangles and bore it away; thus signifying the completion of her wedding, and the change from her former to her present relations. The bridegroom soon made his appearance again, was seated by the receiver of guests, as on the 28th, and joined by five or six relatives, each seated with the same formalities, who partook with him of the refreshments, which were brought forward. This concluded the ceremonies of the day, and the wedding was considered as completed.

ART. V.

China in the year nineteen hundred and

contrast

ed with China in eighteen hundred and thirty-six. From a Correspondent.

CURIOSITY prompts an inquiry respecting the future condition of the Chinese. Are they to retain forever their exclusive policy and remain separated from the nations of the earth? Will they always shut out from their borders, the light which shines upon the western world, and continue in their present half civilized, half enlightened state? Will they never give admission to the improvements in the useful arts and sciences, from which other nations are deriving such immense advantages? Shall neither we nor our successors ever be permitted to have free intercourse with them, become better acquainted with their character, habits, opinions, resources of their country, and whatever else the celestial empire contains that might please and profit us? If a change does take place, into what state will it bring them? Such questions as these doubtless arise in the mind of every individual acquainted with the Chinese, or in any way interested in them. To those who are desirous of seeing an improvement in their moral and religious condition, they are not devoid of interest. Are the efforts now made, and those which are in contemplation, to be successful and result in the banishinent of the darkness that hangs over the nation, and the introduction of that light from heaven, which has given Europe and America their superiority over the other sections of the globe? And will China, by means of such efforts become a Christian nation, and her inhabitants be prepared, by the