270 TRAVELS IX THE EAST IXDIAX AKCniPELAGO. 



feasted, and the father of the bridegroom also re- 

 ceived and entertained liis friends in like manner. 

 At length came an invitation to attend the finale of 

 this long ceremonial. We first walked to the house 

 of the bridegroom. Large Chinese lanterns bril- 

 liantly lighted the veranda and the adjoining narrow 

 lane, which was thronged with men and boys. We 

 then visited the house where the bride was wait- 

 ing to receive her lord. The piazza opened into a 

 large room, and on one side of it was a smaller one, 

 closed by a red curtain instead of a door. No one 

 but the lady-guests were allowed to enter where the 

 bride was sitting. The larger room contained many 

 small tables loaded with delicacies, mostly of Chinese 

 manufacture. Not to be unsocial, we sat down and 

 sipped a cup of boiling tea, and observed the assem- 

 bled guests while all were waiting for the coming of 

 the bridegroom as in good Scripture times. In the 

 opposite corner was a table surrounded with Malay 

 ladies. It also was covered with sweetmeats, but 

 room was soon made for the more necessary siri-box ; 

 a liberal quid of lime, pepper-leaves, and betel-nut 

 was taken by each one, and, to complete the disgust- 

 ing sight, an urn-shaped spittoon, an inseparable 

 companion of the siri-box, was produced, and handed 

 round from one to another as the occasion demanded. 

 A shrill piping was now heard down the street, and 

 every one rushed out on the veranda to see the ap- 

 proaching procession. First came boys mth wax-can- 

 dles, and near them others carrying the presents that 

 the bride and the bridegroom had received. Then came 

 the bridegroom himself, supported by his friends, and 



