GREECE AND ISLES 



435 



bathed in water and boiled wheat. Thirty-two of the boiled grains are then strung upon a 

 thread and stitched to its cap or bonnet, to promote the safe cutting of the other teeth. In 

 Athens, among the poorer classes, it is customary to cover the new-born babe with a dress 

 made from one of the father's old shirts. Under the pillow, if the child be a boy, are placed 

 a black-handled knife, a gold coin, and a gospel. In the case of a girl ornaments and jewels 

 are placed instead of a knife. These articles are significant of the gifts it is hoped life will 

 bring courage, wealth, and piety. 



There are numerous observances in connection with marriage. In one district after the 

 feast the newly wedded pair stand on a wooden press or on the sofa, while the rest of the 

 company surround them, singing or making speeches in their honour. Kice and cotton-seed 

 are thrown after them as they leave the bride's house to go to the bridegroom's cottage. 

 His mother, standing at the door to receive them, holds a glass of honey and water in her 

 hand. From this the bride drinks, in order that her words may thenceforth be as sweet as 

 honey. The lintel of the door is smeared with the remainder of the liquid, that strife may 

 never enter that dwelling. 



There are several interesting burial customs. For example, in the funeral procession several 

 bearers walk in front, carrying the coffin with open lid, and with the corpse exposed, propped up 

 on a pillow, and dressed as if for a festival. Boys carrying the cross and banners of the Church 

 follow. Then come the priests in their 

 bright robes, and one or two pro- 

 fessional mourners in plain clothes, who 

 sing a sort of low, wailing lamentation 

 as they pass along. Until a few years 

 ago high dignitaries of the Church 

 were borne to the grave sitting erect 

 on the episcopal chair, and dressed 

 in the full canonicals of their office. 

 This would seem to indicate the high 

 antiquity of the custom of burying 

 the dead uncovered. At the grave a 

 pillow filled with earth is put under 

 the head of the corpse, and the lid of 

 the coffin, which is made of the lightest 

 material, is put on, when the body is 

 lowered into the grave. In Cyprus the 

 pillow is not stuffed with earth, but 

 with flowers and leaves of the lemon- 

 tree; and a dish of flour or grain is 

 interred with the deceased, as a pro- 

 vision for the last, long journey. When 

 the earth is filled in, the wooden bars 

 on which the coffin is carried by the 

 four or six bearers are stuck upright in 

 the ground, and a candle is left burning 

 on the grave. After a death the house 

 is left unswept for three days, and it 

 is important that the broom which is 

 then used should be burned immedi- 

 ately. In Northern Greece the women 

 of the family in which death has oc- 

 curred dress in white for mourning, 

 and keep the head uncovered, with the 



Photo by A. fihomaldes] 



[Athena. 



A GREEK SOLDIER. 



