convenience at the birth of their children ; and are frequently on foot the next day, going through the duties of the house, with the new-born infant on their back.
The natives of Barbary marry at a very early : and generally without having had much opportunity to establish an attachment of affection. In forming matri monial connections, the parents of the parties may be said to be the only agents; and it frequently happens, that the bride and bridegroom do not see each other till the ceremony be performed : It is from their mothers or confidential servants that they learn the personal accomplishments and character of their in tended helpmates. In most cases, however, the young man procures some opportunity of seeing his mistress at a window, or in solve such distant manner ; and should the interview prove mutually agreeable, he then proposes his wishes to the father. Should his offer be admitted, he sends presents to the lady, ac cording to his circumstances ; and if these be accept ed, the parties are considered as betrothed. It is. not expected that the bride should bring a portion along with her ; but, on the contrary, the husband often pays to her parents a species of purchase money : He specifies, at least, a certain sum to be given to her, should she happen to survive him, or to be divorced. If the father, however, possess. much wealth, he generally presents his daughter with a supply of ornaments, and also allots her a suitable dowry ; but all this is considered as her own. property, and must be faithfully restored in the event of a separation. These arrangements are all made in the presence of the cadi by the friends of the parties; and this public transaction constitutes the marriage contract. During several days before marriage, the bride remains at home to receive the congratulations of her friends, to be etructed by the tab, or priest, in the duties of the married state, and to undergo the process of a fresh painting. During this period, the bridegroom receives the visits of his friends in the mornings ; and in the evenings is paraded through the streets on horseback, attended by a musical band of hautboys, drums, triangles, 8cc ; and surrounded. by his male relations and acquaintances, who testify their joy, on these occasions, by dancing and jump ing, and twirling their muskets in the air, by exhi biting their horsemanship, and by firing in the face and at the feet of the bridegroom. On the day of the marriage, the bride is placed in a square vehicle, about twelve feet in circumference, covered with white li nen, or variegated silk, and fixed on the back of a. mule. In this litter, she is carried through the town. in the midst of her relatives and companions, accom panied with the light of torches, the sound of musi-.
cal instruments, and frequent vollies of musketry.. In this manner she is conducted to the house of her intended husband, who returns, about the same time,. from a similar exhibition ; and great care is taken, that she do not touch the threshold of the door, as she enters. She then sits down, with her hands over her eyes, and the company retires ; the bridegroom is, introduced to her alone, perhaps for the • first time ;. takes off her veil, and receives her as his wife, without any farther ceremony : Sometimes, indeed,. especially among the Algerines, it is customary for '• the parties to plight their faith, by drinking out of each others hands. After the marriage, the friends are entertained with feasting and amusements, a greater or a smaller number of days, according to the wealth of the parties ; and it is considered as in cumbent on the man to remain at home eight days, and the woman eight months after their union. The husband has power to divorce his wife on various ac counts, such as barrenness, unchastity, &c. ; and the wife possesses a similar power, if her husband should fail •to provide her with sufficient subsistence, or should three times utter curses against her. In Bar bary, as in other Mahommedan countries, four wives are allowed to one husband ; and as many concubines as he may choose to support. The Moors, how ever, seldom avail themselves of this indulgence ; and in a population of 100,000 souls, scarcely 100 men will be found, who possess the number allowed by the law. Even among the Bashaws, and other great men, •the number of their wives increases only by degrees ; and an additional one is seldom taken, till the for mer have lost their bloom. • The first married, however, especially if she have born a son, is al ways regarded as the mistress of the house ; and the younger Wives are taught to pay her all due respect. concubines are generally black women, who re ide in the house along with the wives, and perform the menial offices of the family. The children of the wives have all an equal share of the effects of their father and mother • but those of the concubines can claim only half the proportion of the .others. The marriages of the Arabs are conducted in a man ner very similar to what has now been described.; but are often celebrated with much greater show, and by much larger companies. The friends of the parties provide them with a tent and its simple furni ture ; and each brings to theuint stock a propor tion of cattle and of grain. Though they generally wear nothing but woollen clothing, yet it is a cus tom, in many tribes, that the bridegroom and bride shall have each a linen shirt at their nuptials ; but this they must neither wash nor put off, as long as it will hang together.