344 
A PERSIAN WEDDING. 
of the proposed bridegroom dispatch certain sponsors, to explain 
his merits and pretensions, to the relations of the lady, and 
make the offer of marriage in due form. If accepted, the heads 
of the two families meet; when the necessary contracts are 
drawn up ; the presents and ornaments, and other advantages, 
proposed by the bridegroom’s parents, discussed and arranged; 
and when all is finally settled, the papers are sealed, and wit¬ 
nessed, before the kasi. 
In the morning of the day, in which the wedding is to be 
solemnized, the lover sends a train of mules, laden with the 
promised gifts for his bride, to the house of her parents ; the 
whole being attended by numerous servants, and preceded by 
music and drums. Besides the presents for the lady, the pro¬ 
cession carries all sorts of costly viands, on large moon-like silver 
trays, ready prepared to be immediately spread before the in¬ 
mates of the house. The whole of that day is spent in feasting 
and jollity; when, towards evening, the damsel makes her 
appearance, enveloped in a long veil of scarlet or crimson silk; 
and being placed on a horse or a mule, splendidly caparisoned, 
is conducted to the habitation of her affianced husband, by all 
her relations, marching in regular order to the sound of the same 
clamorous band, which had escorted the presents; and must 
not cease its gratulatory uproar, one breathing time, from the 
moment of its arrival. When alighted at the bridegroom’s 
door, the lady is led to her future apartments within the house; 
whither she is accompanied by her female relations, and waiting- 
maids. Her friends of the opposite sex, meanwhile, repair to 
those of the bridegroom ; where all the male relations on both 
sides, being assembled, the feasting and rejoicing re-commences ; 
with the drums and other musical instruments still playing the 
