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Of the Laplanders Contrails and Marriages. r I r
CHAP. XXV
Of their Contrails and <SVIarriagcs.
WE have hitherto taken a Survey of their ordinary imploiments, and
Such as are almost every day in uSe, as well thoSe peculiar to each
Sex, as common to both; likewise of their DivertiSements and Sports,
wherewith they uSe to intermingle thoSe emploiments : It remains that we
treat of thoSe buSineSfes, which do not every day occur, but are Singular and
Solemn, and undertaken upon Special occaSions. AndSirft of what
appertain to their Marriages; Concerning them ’tis moft memorable, that
whenever any perSon purpofes to marry, ’tis his first bufineSs, to make Search
after a Maid well ftock’d with Raindeers. For the Laplanders have a custom,
(as Shall hereafter more particularly be mentioned) of bestowing upon
their Children Soon after their birth, Some certain number of thofe
Rain-deers, and their increaSe is accounted of, not as the Parents estate, but
the Childs portion. She therefore, that is best provided of them, is inmost
likely-hood of meeting with an Husband. Nor have they regard to any
thing elSe, as either good breeding, or beauty, or other the common
allurements of woers. For they who dwell on ahard and barren foile are
generally Solicitous concerning foodi which becauSe their Rain-deer afford,
every one thinks himSelf beft Secured against want when he is best provided of
them. As foon therefore as the young man has cast about him for a wife,
which is ufually done at their public meetings forpaying of taxes, or upon
the account of fairs; next he makes a journy to her parents, takingalong
with him his father, if alive, and one or two more whom he thinks will be
moft kindly welcome, but efpecially one who may declare his affections,
and win the favor of the Maids parents. When they arrive at the hut, they
are all kindly invited in, only the fuiter is fain to wait at door, and beftow
his time in chopping wood, or fome fuch trivial bufinefs, till he be
fum-mon’d in alfo, for without exprefs permiffion ’tis uncivil in him to enter.
When they have drankofthe Spirit of Wine, which the fpokes-min brings,
he applies himfelf to the management of his province, dilclofesihe Suiters
affedlions to the Daughter, and makes his addrefs to her Father, that he
will pleafe to beftow her in Marriage upon him. Which that he may atcheive
with more SucceSs, he honors the Father with the greateft titles and names
oS tenown that he can deviSe, at every one bowing the knee, as if he were
treating with a prince. Heftiles him with the High and Mighty Father, the
Worfhipful Father, as if he were one of the Patriarcks, the beft and moft
illuftrious Father, andno doubt iSthey were acquainted with the Roial title
of His Majeftie, He would not Scruple to call him, the moft Majeftic
Father. The Wine, that the Suiter is SuppoSed to have brought along with
him therewith to pay his reSpedis to her parents, whom he pretends to,
they call either ’touriftnyn (that is) the Wine of profperous acceSs, or
that Wine wherewith "he dcfigns to carefs his Father and Mother in Law,
■ _,y ,_’ ’ _ ttefe
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