Show how russian girls aro are courted lovo ia is tile same the world over but courting is is managed very differently ferent re tj ly in dif different coun countries russian qi 11 courting among the middle c classica is 13 peculiar alie lie first whit sunday after the young girl ia is acknowledged acknowledge ti by iier her mother to be of marriage marriageable bable years she is taken to the tile petersburg summer garden to join tile bridal promenade nic nade this consists of tile daughters of tho the ru ian trade tradesmen pien walking in procession fol followed louid by their ants at and id down ably they go pretending to chat with each kotlier and to take no notice of the tile pung men the trades mens was sells pressed in their best clothes who valk in another procession on the other side Ilo lion ever wever every now and then some young youn fellow slips out lif ills proper roper rant rank and adda adds himself to th the c line ine of girls on oil tho the other aide side speaking to one particularly the parents of th the e girl join in the conversation in a f few moments and soon they leave the promenade and are joined by the parents arents of the young man Gen generally craNy the old folks havo havo talked it well over before but ut on this occasion sion every one seems to bo be surprised d on oil the nest next day a female confidante to calls on the girls parents and requests iier her hand liand this granted all the relations on oil both sides meet and largue about the tile portion to be given idith the girl if this is not note satisfactory all is at an end if it is what is expected the betrothal takes place the bri bride and bridegroom kneel down upon a great fur mat and the bride takes a ring from her finger and gives it to the bridegroom who returns the gift by another mother meanwhile crumbles a piece of bread over her daughters head and her father folds the image of his daughters a natron a tron t saint ant a over his future so sonin son nin n in fai laws well brushed locks A As they arise bridesmaids sing a wedding song the guests each bring forward ar a present of some sort wino wine is hand ed about and some one saya says it is bitter and needs sweetening upon this the bridegroom kisses the brido the sweetness b being elli 1111 supposed ased to be provided by this kiss salutes tes the companion and takes his leave on which the bridesmaids ids sing a s song ong with a chorus something kinf tike ike this farewell happy bridegroom but return to bo be still more happy courting time lias bas now begun every evening the lover colesto comes to HS his ladys home with a present which is always something good to cat eat generally cakes or sugarplums sugar plums he ile makes love under rather awkward circumstances for the bridesmaids sit fit about the betrothed pair in in a circle singing songs descriptive of their happiness the last evening of the courtship is enlivened by the presentation ol 01 the gifts of the bridegroom which much include blushes brushes combs s soap ap and perfumery on receiving these the bridesmaids hist instantly antly carry the brido bride away and wash her dress her hair and perfume her pocket handkerchief thus touched up B she e returns to the company and the brides f father gives his bis future son in law the marriage portion which he lie takes home with him in a neat bag tho tile next morning lie returns for the lady herself slie she receives him with her hair unbraided unbraid cd and flowing down her back they arc are married by the ceremonies of the greek church and the tile parents never go to the wedding dinner those eternal bridesmaids whom they must hate bate by this time arc are there however still on duty and the evening closes by the bride kneeling down and pulling off her husbands boots to prove her intention to be an obedient and sive wife good natured bridegrooms bride grooms generally hide bide money or jewelry in their boots which the bride may take pop possession session sion of as balm balin far for her pride after the wedding day the parents begin to give f feasts casts and rind keep it up for a week and it is not until all this is over that the tile young couple see those blessed bridesmaids take their de departure arture they arc are then complies comp compelled lles to kis kiss them thank them and give them each cach a present |