Mt. Pleasant Pyramid | 1924-12-05 | Page 6 | English Village Bridges Measured for Dowries

English Village Bridges Measured for Dowries A quaint ceremony is observed at Iinyclon, in Norfolk, EnlanJ, tlie Philadelphia Inquirer says. About 300 years u?o the lord of the manor bequeathed the sum of fl.ouo, the interest from which was to he voted annually to provide duwiies for four brides. Under the terms of the bequest the money has to be divided between the youngest, the eldest, the shortest and the tallest brides married mar-ried during the course of each year In the parish church. This entails the "measuring of the oride." After the marriage ceremony the bride and bridegroom proceed to tlie vestry to sitrn the register and the bride is then measured by the officiating officiat-ing minister. In order that her correct cor-rect stature may be ascertained she Is required to remove her shoes and ' let down her hair. At the end of ti e year the marriage records are exam- ined and the dowries awarded to those qualified to receive them.