450 



THE LIVING RACES OF MANKIND 



ward, and becomes the counter. On this the 

 proprietor takes his seat among his goods, 

 and waits for his customers. 



In the towns the houses are square 

 and roofed with wood. When not used as 

 a shop, the ground-floor often serves as a 

 stable. The house is divided into two parts, 

 each with a separate entrance. One part is 

 occupied by the women, the other by the 

 men. The peasants live in mud-huts, which 

 are covered with thatch or lime-tree bark, 

 and consist mostly of one apartment, which 

 swarms with pigs, goats, fowls, and children. 

 There is no chimney, and the smoke gets 

 out as best it can. 



There are three forms of marriage. The 

 first is by capture. When he has carried 

 off his beloved, the captor places her in the 

 women's department of his house; but she 



Photo by Calderon es Tarba] 



HUNGARIAN PEASANTS. 



[Budapest. 



is yet only his betrothed. Preparations for the 

 formal marriage extend over a week. The bride's 

 parents usually appear violently opposed to the match 

 at first, but end by consenting, as their daughter 

 would be disgraced if she returned home unmarried. 

 Another method is called "at sight." The bride- 

 groom is allowed to see the girl face to face at least 

 once before making up his mind. If he decides to 

 have her for his wife, he sends her a ring, on which 

 his name is engraved. This amounts to a contract 

 to marry. Festivities are kept up for a week before 

 the bride is taken to her husband's home. The 

 third form is merely a business transaction, and 

 obtains only among the rich. The marriage is 

 arranged by the parents without the bride and 

 bridegroom ever having seen each other. When a 

 death takes place, the members of the family meet 

 together. The body is washed; the nose, mouth, and 

 ears are stuffed with wadding to prevent evil spirits 

 from entering. The corpse is then buried, wrapped 

 in a white shroud, and not enclosed in a coffin. 



Photo by J. Tuuber\ \_Taus. 



A SOUTH AUSTRIAN PEASANT. 



