SAETER LIFE. 181 
in Scandinavia is celebrated in a festive manner. In the 
country districts the engaged couple often go before the 
clergyman, who, in presence of the respective families, 
says :—“ Before God, the All-knowing, and in presence of 
these witnesses, I ask thee if thou wilt have, him or her, 
for thy betrothed?” After an affirmative answer from 
both, rings are exchanged as a pledge; these are worn on 
the ring finger of the left hand, The custom of going 
before the parson is dying out. In cities, or among the 
educated classes, after a gentleman and a lady have become 
engaged both their names are written on a single visiting 
card and sent toall their acquaintances, this being a notice 
of the.betrothal; it is also published in the newspapers. 
The lady, after her engagement is announced, is allowed 
to go with her affianced, and they are often seen tozether 
without their fatmilies at balls or places of amusement. 
Nothing but a plain gold ring is given even among the 
most wealthy. The wedding token is of the same char- 
acter. When a woman has a family she wears three rings 
as a mark of distinction, of which many feel very proud, 
though this last fashion is going somewhat into disuse. 
‘A few days before the departure for the saeter a great 
stir takes place on the farm; milk-pails, churns, and 
wooden vessels, the great iron pot, the mould for the 
cheese, two or three plates, and a cup or two, a frying pan, 
and abuve all the ccffee kettle, are made ready for packing. 
Salt for the cattle, flour to be mixed with skim-milk for * 
-the calves, bread, a piece of bacon for Sunday, coffee and 
sugar, a covering for the beds, must not be forgotten. The 
girls take their Sunday clothes, and prayer-books, and old 
garments for every-day use ; a good stock of spun wool to 
make stockings, mittens, or gloves, in their leisure hours, 
and pieces of cloth upon which they can embroider. The 
old horse which carries the load is often let loose to pas- 
ture in the mountains for several weeks, for the ploughing 
is over, and the grass or hay left from the year before is 
-earefully saved, 
