SOUTH COAST OF THE CRIMEA. 267 
had been placed upon the bride’s finger, the c ^ p - 
floor was covered by a piece of scarlet satin, ' — * — 1 
and a table was placed before them, with the 
communion vessels. The priest having bound 
their hands together with ribbons of the same 
coloured satin, and placed chaplets of flowers 
upon their heads, administered the Sacrament : 
afterwards he led them, thus united, three 
times around the communion-table, followed by 
the bride’s father and the bride-maid. During 
this ceremony the choristers chaunted a hymn. 
After the hymn was concluded, the parties 
returned to the house of the bride s lather : 
here tea, and other refreshments, were served 
to all who came to congratulate the married 
couple. 
We remained a month at Ahmetchet after 
our return from the south of the Crimea; and, 
during this time, had an opportunity of wit- 
nessing another ceremony much more remark- 
able. It was at the marriage ol a Jew, which 
took place in the following singular manner. 
For two or three days prior to the wedding, 
all the neighbours and friends of the betrothed 
couple assembled together, to testify their joy 
by the most tumultuous rioting, dancing, and 
feasting. On the day of marriage, the intended 
