Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 April 1883 — Bolognese Customs. [ARTICLE]

Bolognese Customs.

In the Bolognese territory some curious customs prevail. A young man may have courted a young woman for several years, walking with her home from ohuroh, aud assisting her iu field labors; but he. is never allowed to enter her house till he oomes for betrothal before a priest. Even after this the gftl’s father is not supposed to be officially informed of the affair until a week before the marriage is to take plaoe—the bridegroom’s father, or some one in his stead, goes to ask for the hand of the bride. Her Mher ‘‘plays the Indian,” is astonished and reluctant, but at length bestows his consent, and they all set out together to buy the marriage gifts, which consist of as much garnet jewelry as the bridegroom can afford, besides several rings. The buying of these things is a fete to all the family—the amount of bargaining for tl cm and the discussion afterward as to whether they could have been got better and cheaper elsewhere is something incredible to those who have not heard it. When the bride is dressed for the marriage ceremony,wearing her maiden necklace of ooral,the bridegroom is introduced with his garnets in his hand, and asks her whether she will exchange her coral for what he brings. Her new ornaments add the finishing stroke to her attire whioh is usually a gay flowered dress and embroidered silk or muslin apron. After the ceremony her husband usually takes her home, and at the door she finds a broom. Her mother-in-law has designedly left the dust thick on the table or on the floor. If the bride does not notioe it it is a sign'that eh<? is a bad housekeeper; but die is usually warned of this trap and fills to sweeping with the convenient broom. It is very necessary that she should appease the presiding geniufl of the housejor no matter how old the sons may be when they marry,the parents still hold undisputed sway, aud as they usually til live together under one root and at one table, a daughter-in-law’s position is by no meaDs an easy one if she is disliked by the heads of the family. She is greatly separated from her own family,iu ceremonial point of view; eight days after marriage she pays them a visit; and then and thenceforward she is addressed by them with the informal “you” instead of the tender ‘thou” to whioh she has been accustomed.