In Persia, a ring is among the usual marriage presents on the part of the bridegroom.[323]
It is said that in Spain every girl who has attained the age of twelve may compel a young man to marry her, provided he has reached his fourteenth year and she can prove, for instance, that he has promised her his hand and given her to understand that he wished her to become his wife. These proofs are adduced before an ecclesiastical vicar. A present of a ring is considered sufficient proof to enable the girl to claim her husband. If the vicar pronounces the marriage ought to take place, the youth, who has been previously sent to prison, cannot be liberated until after the celebration.[324]
Dr. Clark, in his Travels in Russia, describes the marriage, at Ackmetchet, of Professor Pallas’s daughter with an Hungarian General according to the rites of the Greek Church. After ascertaining as to ties of blood between them and voluntary consent, a Bible and crucifix were placed before them and large lighted wax tapers, decorated with ribbons, put into their hands.
After certain prayers had been read and the ring put upon the bride’s finger, the floor was covered by a piece of scarlet satin and a table was placed before them with the communion vessels. The priest having tied their hands together with bands of the same colored satin and placed a chaplet of flowers upon their heads, administered the sacrament and afterwards led them, thus bound together, three times round the communion table followed by the bride’s father and the bridesmaids. During this ceremony, the choristers chanted a hymn; and after it was concluded, a scene of general kissing took place among all present, etc.
§ 5. The betrothal of a young couple was formerly attended with considerable ceremony, a portion of which was the exchange of rings. Shakspeare alludes to this in the play of “_Twelfth Night_:”
“Strengthened by the interchangement of your rings.”
We have a similar thing in “_Two Gentlemen of Verona_:”[325]
_Julia._ “Keep this remembrance for thy Julia’s sake.” _Proteus._ “Why then we’ll make exchange; here, take you this.” [_Giving a ring._ _Julia._ “And seal the bargain with a holy kiss.”
This betrothing, affiancing, espousal or plighting troth between lovers was sometimes done in church with great solemnity; and the service on this occasion is preserved in some of the old rituals.[326]