J 
198 Manners and Customs of tlie Ceylonese. 
is folded several times round both their bodies ; and water m 
then poured upon them by the priest, who always officiates at 
this ceremony, although rarely at the former. After the mar- 
riage ceremony, whether the stricter or the less binding one 
be performed, the parties pass the night at the bride’s house; 
and in tlie morning the husband brings her home, accompanied 
by her friends, who carry with them provisions for another 
feast. In bringing home the bride a strange ancient custom is 
observed ; the bride is always obliged to march before her hus- 
band, and never to be out of his sight by the w^ay. The 
traditionary reason for this practice is, that a man on this oc- 
casion once happening to walk foremost, his wdfe was carried 
off from him before he was aware ; a circumstance not at all 
unlikely to happen more than once among a people who think 
so lightly of the marriage ties. The wedding-day is always 
looked upon as a time of particular festivity ; and those who 
are able to afford it, never fail to have the feasts accompanied 
with music and dancing; the merriment is often protracted, 
and certain nuptial songs continue to be carolled the whole night 
long. 
The portion given with the daughter is in proportion to the 
ability of the parents ; and if the young couple are not in cir- 
cumstances to maintain themselves, they still continue to reside 
with their parents. If the young people find after marriage 
that their dispositions do not agree, they separate without cere- 
mony ; only the w^oman carries with her the portion she brought, 
in order to make her as good a match for Iier next husband. 
Both men and women often marry and divorce several times 
in this manner, before they have found a partner, with wdiom 
they can reconcile themselves to spend the remainder of tlieir 
days. . 
