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Chinese Wedding Procession

pensated by the universal passion for assign a good cause for being out. It is lanterns; even on a bright moonlight said, however, that a little money judinight these are seen everywhere; the ciously bestowed will always procure a palanquin bearers, the police, even the passage for the benighted wayfarer. beggars, carry lights about, and children During the whole night the streets are are seen with little lanterns, proportioned patrolled by watchmen, who prove themto the size of the diminutive bearers. A night patrol may be seen making the rounds, the commanding officer on horseselves on the alert by striking a bamboo tube every few minutes.

As regards marriage, previous to the wedding-day the bride is deprived of her playing noisy tunes, by buffoons and eyebrows by the painful process of pul- torch-bearers, and a motley crowd of ling out the hairs, that she may hence- friends and acquaintances. The religious forth be recognized as a married woman. ceremony consists in the bride and bridethe morning of the "lucky day," groom worshipping together before the which has been selected with great care spirit-tablets of the bridegroom's ances for the auspicious event, she is carried tors. After a day spent in feasting, comfrom her home to the home of her future plimenting the bride and general merrispouse in a highly-decorated bridal chair, ment, at the last moment the bride's veil sparkling with crystal ornaments. The is removed and the two contracting parties procession is accompanied by musicians see each other's face for the first time.