PRELIMINARIES TO A WEDDING. 
105 
Oil for tlie marringe, the bridegroom places on the road which 
the bride has to pass, several of his people at different distan- 
ces, with biaud} and other refreshments; for if these articles 
be not furnished in abundance, the conductors of the bride will 
not advance a step farther, though they may have got three parts of 
the way on their journey. On approaching the town, they stop, 
and are joined by the friends of the bridegroom, who testify their 
joy by shouting, drinking, and letting off their pieces. 
At this period an old woman takes the girl on her shoulders, 
and the attendants cover her with a fine veil : for from that mo- 
ment till the consummation of the marriage, -no man must see 
her face. Mats are now spread before the old woman, who must 
not on any account touch the ground with her feet. In this 
manner the bride is conveyed to the house of her husband, fol- 
lowed by the friends of both families, singing, dancing, and firing 
off their muskets. Towards evening the husband comes into the 
•apartment of his young wife. If he, have reason to suspect that 
some mortal has been more happy than he is likely to be, he 
leaves her immediately; atidthis circirmsîance is no sooner know^ii 
amongst the friends who have conducted her to him, than they 
all hasten from the sight of the observers, crying and howli^ng 
with shame and confusion. If, on the other handj things are 
found as they ought to be, he remains with her the whole night: 
the friends then rejoice^ and next day carry in procession the 
proofs of her virginity, according to the laws of Moses. In both 
cases, however, the husband may keep the young girl; but if 
he should send her back, he ig obliged to give up ail that she has 
brought him. 
The Buiams, the Bagos, and the Tommanies receive into 
their houses their betrothed brides during their infancy, and make 
the relations of the child a present proportionate to their means. 
If afterwards the girl should not be well treated, the parents 
Lave a right îo to take her back on giving up the present; while, 
on the other hand, the husband always has the privilege of send- 
ing her home, without re-demanding any thing. 
From these details it will be seen, that chastity is a virtue 
highly esteemed amongst the Africans, at least till marriage; 
but from that moment it is a trait of uîjpoliteness and want of 
education in the woman to resist the solicitations of a lover: she 
would indeed be punished, if discovered, but her reputation would 
remain unsullied. In (he black savages of Africa we find the cus- 
toms w hich are prevalent in Italy and Spain : for each Negro lady 
has a cicisbeo or cortejo, whom she makes choice cf and takes 
with her on all occasions. The husband is obliged to tolerate 
this intercourse in silence: nevertheless, the laws are not wanting 
in severity towards ihe adulteier ; but diey are of Utile effect^ 
DURAND.] O 
