Vermont Watchman And State Journal

A WELCH WEDDING.

The ancient festivities connected with marriages are still retained in the rural districts of Wales. When the day for that ceremony has been fixed, “bidding papers” are despatched, to all friends within possible distances. The ‘Squire generally finds one laid on his table, responds to the pecuniary part of the invitation. The following is a specimen of these papers:

CARMARTHENSHIRE, NOV 15, 1850

As we intend to enter the Matrimonial state on Wednesday, the 4th of December next, we are encouraged to make a Bidding on the occasion, the same day, at the young woman's brother's house, at which time and place the favor of your very good and agreeable company is most respectfully solicited—and whatever donations you may be pleased to bestow on us then, will be thankfully received, warmly acknowledged, and cheerfully repaid, whenever called for on a similar occasion. Your most obedient servants.

DAVID PRICE,
ELIZABETH JONES.

“The young man, with his brother and sister, (Richard and Mary Price,) desire that all gifts of the above nature due to them be returned to the young woman on the above day, and will be thankful, together with his uncle, and his brother-in-law and sisters, and their wives, for all additional favors.”

“The young woman, with her sister, (Anna Jones,) desires that all gifts of the above nature, due to them, be returned to the young woman on the above day, and will be thankful together with her brother and sister-in-law, and her uncles and aunt, for all favors granted.”

As soon as the heroine of the day makes her appearance in bridal array, among the assembled guests at her father's house, her friends proceed to hide her in the most unattainable place possible. Should the dwelling not afford such accommodation, the cow house and stables are invaded, or even a neighbor's domicile. When hidden, notice is given to the bridegroom's chosen representatives, who are four or five in number; they advance to the door and demand the fair prize of her father. The bride's chosen spokesmen reply to those outside. All the stock of wit possessed by either party is exchanged, amidst general hilarity, until the claimants are admitted to seek the lost one. Sometimes she is so hopelessly concealed, that time creeps most alarmingly near 12. When matters assume this serious aspect, some kind friend is found to act as guide, and she is found amid universal acclamations.

The bride's perils are by no means over; for instead of going quietly to church, where the bridegroom has been waiting, his delegates make an attack upon her appointed body guard. The poor girl sometimes gets rough handling between the combatants; and should the opposing one be victorious, she is carried off to some place of concealment until she is again rescued. When at last, the lady reaches the church gate, her betrothed comes forward, attended by two girls, determined, apparently, to make the most of his last unfettered moments. He then, having shaken hands with his father-in-law, receives and conducts his bride to the altar.

The instant the ceremony is over and the names registered, a furious scene of racing commences—very dangerous at a “horse wedding.” The fleetest courier wins the pint of ale awarded to the bearer of the first intelligence from the church to those at home.

On the arrival of the new couple, they are seated at a table, holding a plate for the reception of “bidding money,” and besides them a friend with a little book, in which are entered the names of the lenders and the amount—for the promise to return in kind is taken, au pied de lettre. The debt is strictly one of honor, and if not paid on the marriage of the creditor, is sure to be demanded. This ceremony over, the bride retires to change her dress, or to make some alterations in it, and on her return, attends upon her guests. A table is laid out with a very simple cold collation, bread, cheese, and butter, of which all partake who please. This may seem but poor hospitality, especially when we add that the beer and ale are sold to the guests; but any reader who knows the poverty of the Welsh peasantry, and their simple habits, will find excuse sufficient. The beer is supplied by the young woman's father, and the profits form part of her dower.

Drinking is kept up till a late hour, and singing and music. Welch vocal melodies are rather dismal. Few get beyond psalms that are pretty enough, set to Ar-hyd-y-nos, &c., but national psalmody partakes very much of the cow-killing tune of general notoriety. Dancing is often indulged in.—

When the bride retires to rest, if a wary woman, she investigates the arrangements of her bed room, for her friends consider it their duty to conclude the arrangements with a practical joke.

A melancholy catastrophe is said to have been the result of one of these practical jokes. On the afternoon of a wedding-day, what was supposed to have been a dead viper was put into the bride's bed. Her husband, on joining her soon afterwards, found her a corpse! The viper lay on her bosom with its head elevated to her mouth. She had not been stung, but had died, it was thought, from fear.—Household Words.