286 
GENERAL REMARKS 
Nor can it in truth be faid to be always the cafe, that he fings 
upon thefe occafions ; but whenever he is in the prefence of his 
beloved, though he fhould forbear to fing, he does not fail to offer 
to her whatever he thinks will be moil acceptable, whether 
brandy, tobacco, or any thing elfe. On the day of the nuptials 
the bride appears dreffed in her gala habit; with this difference, 
that whereas her head is commonly clofe covered at other times, 
upon this occafion her hair is left to flow loofe upon her fhoul- 
ders ; and flie wears a bandeau of different coloured fluffs, and 
fometimes a fillet. The marriage ceremony over, the nuptials 
are celebrated in a frugal manner and without fhow. Such of 
the guefls as are invited, and are of fufHcient ability to do it, 
make the bride a prefent of money, rein-deer, or fomething to¬ 
wards a flock. 
In fome parts of Lapland it is the cuflom, a few days after 
the marriage, for the relations and friends of the newly married 
couple, to meet and partake of an entertainment, which is but 
an homely one, as it confifls of meffes of foup, or broth, with a 
little roafl mutton, and fome metheglin ; which being all con- 
fumed, the guefls afterwards take their departure. Mufic and 
dancing are entirely unknown amongfl the Laplanders, on thefe 
or any other feflivities ; nor are they even acquainted with the 
ufe of any one mufical inflrument; and feem to be totally inca¬ 
pable of learning to fing in tune. 
The bridegroom generally remains with the parents of his bride 
during the fpace of one year after marriage, and at the expiration 
1 of 
