was lighted with numerous torches, which greatly added to the éclat of the occasion. A second company, consisting of the friends of the bridegroom, was placed at the bridegroom's house, ready, at the first intimation of their approach, to go forth and meet them. After joining the procession, it again moved forward to the house of the father, where a grand entertainment was provided; the evening was spent in cheerful participation of the marriage-supper, with such social merriment as was suited to the joyous occasion.

In modern times the Jews have a regular formal marriage rite, by which the union is

person takes a cup of wine, pronounces a benediction, and hands it to be tasted by both; the bridegroom puts a ring on the finger of the bride, saying," By this ring thou art my spouse, according to the custom of Moses and the children of Israel." The marriage contract is then read and given to the bride's relations; another cup of wine is brought, and blessed six times, when the married couple taste it, and pour the rest out, in token of cheerfulness; and to conclude all, the husband dashes the cup against the wall, and breaks it to pieces, in memory of the sad destruction of their once glorious Temple.

The forms of solemnizing marriage, even among Christians, differ in different places. In Lutheran countries, and also in the United States, it is generally celebrated in private houses. In Scotland, like all other religious services in that country, it is extremely simple, and performed in the session-house, the residence of the minister, or the private house of some friend of one of the parties.

But in England, until recently, it could only be legally administered at the altar; Quakers and Jews being the only exceptions.

An Act was passed in the reign of William IV.

for the purpose of easing the scruples of those who objected to the marriage services of the Established Church; some of the provisions of which we here extract :

That one of the parties is to give notice, according to the form set out in the Act, to the Superintendent Registrar of the district, or each of the districts within which the parties have dwelt for seven days then next preceding, stating the name and surname, and the profession or condition, and the dwelling-place of each, and the time (not less than seven days) during which each has dwelt therein, and the church, chapel, or building in which the marriage is to be solemnized.

After the expiration of seven days, if the marriage is to be solemnized by licence (that is, from the Surrogate), or of twenty-one days, if without licence, the Registrar, upon request, is to issue a certificate, provided no lawful impediment be shown, stating the particulars set forth in the notice, the day on which it was entered, that the full period of seven days (or twentyone) has elapsed since the entry of such notice, and that the issue of such certificate has not been forbidden by any authorized person. (This

provision does not, of course, apply to marriages by licence celebrated according to the Church of England.) Every Superintendent Registrar may grant licences for marriage in any building registered within any district under his superintendence, or at his own office.

Before any licence for marriage can be granted by a Superintendent Registrar, one of the parties must appear personally before him, and must, in case the notice of the intended marriage has not been given to the same Superintendent Registrar, deliver to him the certificate of the Superintendent Registrar, or Registrars, to whom such notice has been given; and such parties must make oath, affirmation, or declaration, that he or she believes that there is not any impediment of kindred or alliance, or other lawful hindrance, to the marriage, and that one of the parties has for fifteen days immediately before the day of the granting of the licence had his or her usual place of abode within the district in which such marriage is to be solemnized; and where either party, not being a widower or widow, is under twenty-one, that the consent of the person or persons whose consent to such marriage is required by law

has been obtained thereto, or that there is no person having authority to give such consent. No marriage, after notice (unless by virtue of a licence) by the Superintendent Registrar, is to be solemnized, or registered, until the expiration of twenty-one days after entry of notice; and no marriage is to be solemnized by the licence of any Superintendent Registrar, or registered, until the expiration of seven days after the day of the entry of notice.

If a marriage does not take place within three calendar months after notice has been entered by the Registrar, the notice and certificate, and any licence granted thereupon, and all other proceedings, become utterly void; and no person can proceed to solemnize the marriage, nor can any Registrar register the same. If the marriage is to be solemnized according to the rites of the Church of England, the certificate of the Superintendent is to be delivered to the officiating minister; if according to the usages, and by persons professing the Jewish religion, to the officer of the synagogue: or by the Quakers, to the registering officer of the Quakers for the place where the marriage is solemnized; in all other cases, the certificate or licence is to be delivered to the Registrar present at such marriage.

C