Phenix Gazette

From the New Haven Advertiser.

A TURKISH WEDDING.

My friends, Doctor and Mrs. C——. invited me to go with them and be present at the marriage of the Pasha's son, which was to take place in two days; and which was preceded and ended with great ceremony. Doctor C. was the Pasha's family physician, which doubtless led to the invitation. For eight days, there was nothing but feasting in the palace, and an astonishing display of riches. After the usual Turkish ceremonies of passing sweet-meats, &c. we were called to see the apartment fitted up for the bride, by the mother of the bridegroom. The room was large, and a sofa on each of three sides, covered with crimson satin, embroidered with green, with wreaths of acorns, roses, &c. and in the corners, pillows of blue silk, with gold flowers. The bride's clothes, with a great many fancy articles, were hung on all sides of the room in a very handsome manner. Not an article of dress was wanting; and a sufficient quantity, one would suppose, to last a life-time. We next went to see the bedding and jewelry. The beds were all folded and laid in piles—they were composed of wool, covered with chintz; and some of the counterpanes were pink silk, striped with gold, and the pillows of pink silk. A pair of shoes, which the bridegroom was to present to his intended, of silk velvet, embroidered with gold and some small diamonds; necklaces of pearl: two or three gold watches, one at least set in diamonds, as was a snuff box. A set of silver coffee cups, pot, and sugar dish, on a waiter of the same metal; a looking glass in a solid silver frame, and a variety of other expensive articles. Partly in this and partly in another room were the bridegroom's clothes, which were not less splendid than those of his bride, and in equal profusion. It required some considerable time to examine all. Meanwhile sports were going on in the yard, which the ladies viewed with great delight through the lattices, but which we, who had been accustomed to see abroad without such an interruption, could not well reconcile ourselves to. On taking leave, we were invited to come on Thursday, (this being Tuesday,) to witness the reception of the bride, and also to bring other friends.

On Thursday at half past 10 A. M. we repaired again, with several other ladies in company, to the palace, and went through with similar ceremonies to those of Tuesday. We were soon shown into a room, from which we could see the bridal procession, and waited its approach. At 11, the music of the band announced the approach of the bride. First came some hundred soldiers—next several Turkish gentlemen on horse-back—then eight or ten fine led horses, richly caparisoned—then a kind of palankeen, entirely covered with red broad-cloth, in which was the bride; and in another her nearest friends. The bridegroom received his bride at the door, and led her up stairs and through the room in which we were sitting, into the one in which were the sofas, before described, and followed by his mother and sister, the door was for a few moments shut. A crowd of women followed the lady up stairs, and as she passed the large hall where we sat, a near relative of the bridegroom stood at the door, most entirely concealed under a curtain, and threw handfuls of small money among the women and children, and calling the little misses of our party to him, gave them each a handful of small coins. Happy she among the crowd who obtained the most! I cannot say if there was any religious ceremonies in the room which the bride and bridegroom, &c. entered, but think there must have been, from the fact that a beautiful copy of the Koran was brought in just before the bride, and replaced where it was two days before—if any, however, they must have been short, and at this very time, as the gentleman had never before seen his lady.

After a few moments, the door of the room was opened, the bridegroom passed out, and we were asked in to see the bride. She was seated with her feet crossed on a corner of the sofa, supported by the pillows of blue and gold. As we entered to pay our respects, she looked at us, but did not speak; indeed she seemed too much exhausted to speak, or even to sit up, having spent the whole of the preceding night in dancing. Her dress was of the richest materials in fashion. Her over-dress trailed a yard at least— her eye brows were painted black, and ornamented with diamonds. On each cheek was a star of rubies and diamonds, and on her chin, one of emeralds and diamonds.— Her hair hung in small braids down her shoulders and back. On each side of her head was a bunch of feathers, shaped like a fan, splendidly ornamented and she had two or three diamond ornaments fastening the veil and handkerchief about her head, which were set in the form of leaves and flowers, and must have cost a handsome sum. Her fingers did not want for elegant rings.