THE LAPLAND ALPS. 69 



may not be obliged to hear the conversa- 

 tion of the visitors. Her admirer either 

 remains on the outside of the door, amongst 

 the reindeer, or goes into some neighbour- 

 ing hut. There are usually two or three 

 spokesmen in the party, the principal of 

 v.hom is called Sugnovivi. When they are 

 all seated, the young man's father first 

 presents some brandy to the father of the 

 young woman ; upon which the latter asks 

 why he treats him with brandy ? The for- 

 mer replies, " I am come hither with a 

 good intention, and 1 wish to God that it 

 may prosper." He then declares his errand. 

 If the other party should not be favourably 

 inclined to the proposal, he rejects it, at 

 the same time thanking the person who 

 made it. Upon this, all who are present 

 endeavour to prevail upon him to give his 

 consent to the marriage. If they succeed, 

 or in case the offer has from the first been 

 accepted, the friends of the lover fetch 

 whatever they have brought along with 



