146 SPORT, TRAVEL, AND ADVENTURE 



which are rather interesting and iamusing. For instance, 

 the Bedouin bridegroom, on his wedding-day, must 

 make his bride a present of a silk handkerchief filled 

 with nuts, sweetmeats, little sugar cakes, and marzipan, 

 also five silver rings for her fingers. An old pair of 

 tellik (Arab shoes) are purposely placed in the room 

 in which the lovers meet. He seizes one shoe and 

 she the other, and whichever of them can hit the other 

 first will be the ruler of the household after. This is 

 looked upon as an unfailing sign, and there may be 

 something in it. 



For seven days after the wedding the bridegroom 

 enjoys himself, wandering through the gardens of the 

 oasis, doing no work, always accompanied by a group 

 of his friends. But on the seventh day he must keep 

 a sharp look-out, for on that day his friends will try 

 suddenly to, play a trick on him. If he escapes them, 

 well and good ; then he can run to his house and be 

 safe. If not, they snatch his clothes from him and 

 beat him, which seems a poor return for the feasting; 

 and entertainment. But it is custom, and that is the 

 law of the Medes and Persians to these people, who, 

 will not omit the smallest ceremony handed down to 

 them by their forefathers." 



In China the family to which the man belongs 

 generally begin negotiations. A very interesting 

 description of these and the usual customs observed is 

 given by the Rev. E. J. Hardy in his book on Chinese 

 life. 1 He says: " They do so by means of a go- 

 between, who may be described as a professional liar. 

 ' To lie like a match-maker ' is a common expression. 

 This woman the go-between is frequently a woman 

 1 See Bibliography, 23. 



