THE LAPLAND ALPS. 71 



sent of a few brass rings, or something of 

 that kind, to this friend or sister, who keeps 

 lamenting the loss of her companion. 



When the bride enters the hut, her 

 father asks whether she is satisfied with 

 ■what he has done ? To which she replies, 

 that she submits herself to the disposal of 

 her father, who is the best judge of what 

 is proper for her. The mother of the 

 bridegroom then presents the bride with 

 the sum allotted for her, laying it in her 

 lap. If it proves less than she had ex- 

 pected, she shows her dissatisfaction by 

 various gestures, and signs of refusal, in 

 which case she may possibly obtain at least 

 the promise of a larger sum. All these 

 gifts become her own property. 



When such pecuniary matters are finally 

 arranged, the father and mother of the 

 bridegroom present him and his bride with 

 a cup of brandy, of which they partake 

 together, and then all the company shake 

 hands. They afterwards take off their caps, 

 and one of the company makes an oration, 



>^ 



