Dr. Scudder's Tales for Little Readers, About the Heathen.

f the father of the young girl is a Brahmin, and if he is rich and liberal, he will frequently bear all the expenses of the marriage of his daughter. To give a daughter in marriage and to s

o their daughters on their wedding-day. You will infer from what I have just sai

arises from the circumstance that these are the hottest seasons of the year-the seasons when the people have more leisure to atten

made of a paste from rice flour. It is supplied with oil, and lighted. They then take hold of the plate with both hands, and raise it as high as the heads of the couple to be married, and describe a number of circles with the plate and lamp. This is to prevent the evil of any jealous looks, which certain persons might mak

god is much honored because he is much feared. And although the great ugliness of his appearance has hitherto kept h

Another remarkable ceremony succeeds this. The young man being seated with his face towards the east, his future father-in-law supposes that he beholds in him the great Vrishnoo. With this impression, he offers him a

d with three gifts, namely, one or more cows, some property in land, and a salagrama, which consists of some little amulet stones in high esteem among the Brahmins. This ceremony being finished, the tahly is brought to be fastened to the neck of the bride. This, as I before said, is presented on a salver,

ich consists of throwing boiled rice with melted butter upon the fire. He then takes hi

ether, one for the bride, the other for the bridegroom. They step into them, and two other baskets being brought, filled with ground rice, the husband takes up one wi

s out to the married pair a very small star, close to the middle or in the tail of Ur

o partake, and eat together from the same plate. This is a token of the

the night, by torchlight, accompanied with fire-works. The newly married pair are seated in one palanquin with their fac

the streets of Madras at night, but can give you but little idea of its magnificence. The lamps used on the occasion could not be numbered. The shrubbery, which was drawn on carts or other vehicles, appeared exceedingly beautiful, in consequence of the light reflected from the lamps