CUPID BARRED OUT. QUE I', ft MAI IMMONIAL lAWS OF JAPAN. Etiquette Governing tlio Relations of oungMen ami Women Hefore Marriage 'o Kissing at ' the Wedding l-'east. WHEN n yonncf man wants to net married in Japan lie does not offer his henrt nml hand to the girl lis lovc, but, if on arrangement has not already i been made for him by his parents with the daughter of a neigh bor, he goes to it discreet nml trusted friend who in already married, and . 'ks that he and hi wife act as "noko ih V' or &o-bctweens, for hira in thi important matter. It is the most deli cate duty one friend can perform for another: it is the highest ot oompn ments to ask it, as it i nntnrally an evidence of complttn confidence, and the gentleman and lady who tinder take it assume responsibilities that few people in America would enre to accept. They not only aree to find suitable partner for the aspirant for matrimonial honors, but remain through life in the relation of god father and godmother to the young connle. They are expected to assist theni if they get into difficulty or suffer misfortune, to promote their pros perity and happiness in all ways possi ble and serve as a board of arbitration to fettle disputes that amy arise in the family. But this responsibility is not dreaded In Japan as much as would be sup posed. People are used to it, and nearly every gentleman and lady of acknowledged distinction have at least one, and sometimes several couples ' under theis care. As a rule in the upper circles of cooiety marriages between the sons and daughters of friendly families are arranged by the parents when the children are very young, and a boy or girl often know who they ore going to marry long before they are old enough to nnderstsnd the nstnre of that rela tion. But they are not allowed to as tooiate with each other. From in fancy girls nre taught that they are inferior to their brothers, and must treat them with respect accordingly. A boy can call his sister by a pet name, but she cinn jt show tho same famili arity toward him. He is "Ani-san," which literally means "Mr. Brother," and his authority cannot bo disputed in their play. Usually the boys of the family take their meals with their father, andjtheir mother and sitters wait npon them, accepting what looa is left by the superior beings without murmer. In this way the spirit of obedience to mankind is inttilled into the mind of womanhood. Confucius taught that children of seven years should be separated, but Japanese are a little more liberal than the Chinese in this respect, and boys and girls play together until they are ten or twelve . years of age. After that their asso ciation is forbidden. Nor is there any opportunity for a boy to become acquainted with the cirls of his father's set. Therefore couitiifnr is impossible, and the chil dren of families whose houses may ad journ grow up as strangers to eash other. This rules applies equally to the nearest iclations. Thero can be no friendshin between young men and women. It is dinreputablo for a Jap Ing is called a "mi-yai," which means literally "mutual seeing." According to etiquette the interview may take place at the residence of the nnkodos or at the house ot tha young lady's father ( but among tho lower olasses a picnio 'or n theatre party, n boat ride or an excursion of some sort serves the ptirpoe. If the visit takes place at the house of the young lndy's inther, the young man and his nakodo are received by the host and salute each other with great politoness. A servant brings a pot of tea and ma terials for smoking, over which the three gentlemen disenss politics, busi ness matters, tho condition of the rice market, the news from China, or any other indifferent subject for awhile. Then the host will clap his hauda and the young lady in inter est herself appears, dressed in her prettiest kiraino and obi and bearing a tray containing three cups and a pot of tea. These she plaoes npon the mat in front of the guests before sn opportunity to send pres ents is given. When the day for the wedding is selected the trousseau of the bride and several artioles of household furniture are lent to her husband's home, and they are usually exhibited to the friends of the family beforehand. The wedding gown is always pure white, and the bridegroom is dressed in a "komisliiroo" a .peculiar dress made of various kinds of silk in colors according to his rank. The wedding ceremony takes places at the house of tho bridegroom's par ents and friends of both families are invited to be present. The bride is escorted thore at nightfall by her par ents and other members of her family and the nakodos, followed by servants bcarintr nifts to the family of tha bridegroom. It was formerly the custom to light a bonfire in front of the gate of her parental home and lift her over it. This ceremony meant purification. The house ol the bride- WINTER WEAR. FASHION'S fRCRRK FOR taK93- ISQUUWNS ANI JACKETS. Those Made to I!?ronolltan Dames Combine Klegance With Com fortA Hage forTam o Minuter Hats. " MARRIAGE CEREMONY IS JKTKS. and proceeds to serve the beverage and sweetmeats which her mother or a servant brings after her. Girls are trained to perform this duty with the greatest degree of grace, lor tea pour ing is regarded as the highest aeeora pludiinent a Japanese woman can ao- aiure. and this occasion is noiurauy of the createst importance. She is not to speak unless spoken to, and the responsibility of beinniug a conver sation rests upon the nuKoito. 11 ne is a gentleman of tact he introduces some subject or asks some question FALL and winter are erenttolly the home seasons. Outdoor sports are impossible) with Northerners, and the reign of the nftorndon lecture, morning musl cale and evening reception seta in. The interior decorations are made es pecially beautiful, and everything is accomplished that can be to attract audlereate attention to the fireside and home luxuries. Home comforts cannot be mentioned without a thought of dressing gowns snd jack ets. Tha time between calling hours sud the attendance of outside sooial functions is usually given over to rest, ana should be if it is not. it is men that the dressing gown and jacket ap- neal to tha feminine members' of the hnnanhnld. The areatest possible taste shonld ha displayed in making comfort gowns. The true artistio sense can be luxuriously ratified, and any original notion can be carried out without the fear of being conspicuous or mayhap artistio effect the hair should bs'dono low, and, more ot less, draped over the ears. A charming Tarn, which is almost a tu.bau, and which is an inof fensive, not to say an attractive the- WC' as ' JL k REIT FLYISB MACHHEu (Several Successful Flights lit Mlda'r Have Meed Made by Scotchman. Mr. Percy 3. Filoher, lecturer on marine engineering at Glasgow TJni vcrBity, basing his inventions upon that of Herr Lilienthal, has prcduoed two winged creations, and by their aid has taken sundry flights in midair, RKkDT TO Kit. AS ATTRACTIVE TAM O SHANTER. atre bonnet, has a soft crown of palo yellow velvet, spangled with silver. Just over the face is a stiff band of jet, which ends in two bunches of white violets. The aigrettes are JAfAXESB OIKIi AT HOJtH. that is calculated to bring out what ever conversational powers the young lady may possess, and in the mean, time she aits npon her heels and en deavors to be as charming as possible, The young man may engage in the conversation, but it is not good form for him to address his remarks to her. Ho may speak to her lather or her mother.but ho usually remains entire ly silent during the oru?al. If the "mi-yai" happeus to be an exonrsion or a theatre party the same rule is ot- i Vmmr&- 1 It 7 1 mm -gfeV'f 1 w. - r M I? - ,.( . I-m' "'llijli lT "OHAYO" THE WORD OP WELCOME IS JAPAN. nese young man to marry for love. There is no such thing as love between the sexes before marriage, and there is no word to define suoh afleotion in the Japanese language. When a youug man and a young woman love each other publio sentiment plaoes them very low in the scale ot morals. The sooial laws of Japan require that a man shall marry at tho age of eighteen or nineteen, and it is a dis grace for s man or a woman to remain single After they are twenty or twen ty-one. As a consequents there are very few old bachelors or old maids in the empire. But the young man usually has An opportunity to inspect the zirl that is elected by his parents or his nakodos before an engagement is deoided upon, And if either is dissatisfied with the Appearance of the other the arrange' neat way it deolared eft This meet served. He may look as muoh as he likes, but it is bad manners for him to show the young lady any particular attention. After the mi-yai is over the young man ana mi nakouo retire lor consultation. He thinks the matter over, and if he decides that the candi date is acceptable his parents send her a handsome box of silts. Some times it contains silks and other fab rios. ornaments or jewelry, decora art, and, among me crroora is usually decorated witu lanterns and other evidences ot festivity, which draw all the people in that part of town to witness the bride's arrival. Hhe is met outside the entrance by the members of the groom's fomily. But he is seated on a cushion in trout 01 the toKonoma, a shallow recess or alcove that is found in all Japaucse houses and is used for the display of ornatueuts. When Bhe enters the room she is escorted to a seat beside him. The nakodos sit at his rii?ht and at her left are usually two married Udies or two little girls dressed in white, who serve as bridesmaids. When the party is all placed a chor us of voiocs in tho adjoining room sings a Japanese song called "ttai. A low toblo of white wood, that has never been used, is then brought in, and a tray is plaoed upon it contain ing three cups, which one of the bridesmaids fills with sake. The lat ter hands the smallest cup to the bride, who takes three dainty sips of wine and then passes it to the groom, who follows her example. The sec ond and third cups arefllred in a simi lar manner and the ceremony is re peated. As the groom returns the third cup to the bridesmaid all ckp their hands, which is a salute of ap probation announcing that the cere mony is over. Their is no kissing or emoracing, bnt a great ' many congratulations are ottered to the young couple ana guests of literary attainments are ex pected to hand thorn poems of their own composition, wnicn are aiicrwuru bound in a little book as a memento of the occasion. The couple then re- tire to put off the wedding robes and resume their ordinary garinonts, and afterward oin the guests at a least, which is served with great ceremony. The congratulations are thon reuowed and iuclude the parents anil relatives of the couple, and everybody drinks to the health of the bruie ana grcom. Sometimes the feasting continues very late and often ends in a carousal, but before the guests retire they repeat their congratulations, as is customary in other countries. Among the oommon people the mar riage ceremony is considerably modi fied. Hridosmaids are omitieu ana the nakodos, the gentleman sitting at the right of the gtoom and his wife at the left of the bride, fill and pass the onps of eake ; but there is always a supper of some kind and plenty to drink, if the food is only rioe and salted fish and the liquids only tea. On the third day after tho wedding the brido returns to her father's house to stay three or seven days, as the case may be, during which time ner tamer invites the friends of both families usually those who have been guests at tho wadding to a big feast. If the first three days ot married me are not satisfactory to the bride, she notifies the nakodos of that fact and does not return to her husband's home, which is equivalent to a divorce. If the hus band is disatisfied he notifies the nako dos, and tbey are expeoted to com- munioate with the bride s parents. 11 a divorce is insisted npon by either party it must be acoepted by the other, but suoh a proceding is seldom re sorted to exoept where misrepresenta tions have been made as to the temper and physical condition of either party. If the bride or groom proves to be de formed or diseased in any manner a divorce is considered honorable and legitimate, and it is only neoessary to register the faot at police headquarters. After the ceremonies are concluded the bride separates herself entirely from her own family and beoomes as much identified with the family 01 ner husband as if she were born into it. She is not expeoted to inherit any of her father s property, although ne may in A Xv "W-!rMM!i.-MI: fret SiVAs Y M U - Vi XI LATEST IN DltEdSINO OOWN3, JACKETS AND TETTICOATg. I tiva works of common people, fish, seaweed and leave her a legacy it he desires to do so. other forms of food. Then the bride's I Nor is it neoessary for a father to give parents seud presents in return, whioh his dauorhter a dot upon her marriage. is equivalent to an engagement, and I although it is often done. It is usually an early day is seleoted for the wed-1 a part of the original arrangement, ding. It the young lady should bap- and the amount is settled botweon her pen to objeot, whioh is not often the I parents and the nakodos. .a m aha la iruidad antiralv by the I wishes of her parents in this and all The Annual profit of the Sue! Canal othtr matters, 'tht sakodo is notified Is VIO.OW.WV. offending anybody's taste. One should always dress prettiest for those whom they" love best, and b(;m- gowns should be the finest in the wardrobe. In figure No. 1 is shown a simple but neat jacket in p nk and white striped wool, goruiturod with black volvot. The stripes are matched beautifully, and tho material itsolf is almost like au exquisite piece of embroidery. The small cane about the neck is a unique but charming orrangeniout, and the turn-down collar is both comfortable and elegant. The sleeves are full and easy, but very becoming to either the ldiinin or slender arm. With a dark skirt this jacket always looks dainty and attractive. The ooiflure aeon in thia illustration is very fetching for tho home. The hair in front is parted on one side in a most fascinating way, It is thon ourled in large rings and flnttenad out until it lies about the temples in a soft and wavy fashion. In the baok the hair is arranged in a loose, graceful pull". Tha lull lensth dressiug gown in fig- nre No. 2 is of a soft and dainty wool. The style is Prinoess, the modol being mnde especially long in front and fin- inhnd in a demi-train ic tho back. The lines are very graceful, and tend to make the wearer tall and slender. Just above the bust, on a line with tha shoulders, is a wide ruffle of the wool, finished in a fine feather trim ming. The sleeves are very full, and the Ion it. wide uuff is finished in a mills to match the larger one of the same stvlo. About the waist is it worn an Oriental girdle of Turkish sjlk. The third illustration shows the lat est idoa in petticoats. The greatest chanze has been made in the trim ming. Where last season there were many small rutUes, . this season one large one will be used. TAM O' 8HANTEB BATS THB BAOB. Most everybody has a Tam o Shanter, says the New York rress. The little girls wear them, plain, to sohool, and their mammns wear them, muoh trimmed with leathers, and with An Added brim, to church And the sewing oirole. Big sisters wear them when on their wheels, 10 ine matinee, and in the evening, too, when tbey go to the theatre. But they have several different sorts. The children are provided witn those made of Sootob plaid or eider down. The lamer sisters seleot, for veneral nse. those made of A tabrio whioh corresponds to the street gown. And they have dainty ones of silk and lnnn and ribbon for the evening. The mammas favor black velvet espeoiully with a flat brim added, re member, and they like Dresden silks and Persian olotbs. too. These hats are further trimmed, for mamma, with ostrioh tips, usually half a dozen. And. usually also, of black. They Are not very beooming to those who wear their hair arrnged on the top ot the bead. To get the most blaok. Mademoiselle s hair is a charming yellow; so this little hat is particularly becoming. FANCY. FRONTS FOR DRESSM. One of the prettiest of all the sum mer fashions, (he lancy ironis lor dresses, will not be entirely taboood for some weeks to come, soys the flew York Herald, With skirt and jaokot these dressy fronts add greatly to the smartness ot the cloth gowns. It would seem as though ingenuity bad exhausted itself in the different styles we have seen for the Inst year, but there are new and most fasoinating ones now to be found. Strirs ot fancy ribbon, with laoo lnser' o 1, are perhaps rue newosi 01 all, auu they are most daintily made. says the London Black and White. At times he has risen to an altitude ot twenty feet, occasionally hovering kito-like for a space and then descend ing on the spot he left, while npon other trials he has hastened before the breeze for considerable distances ere regaining his feet. Mr. 1'ilcher s maohines are light structures of wood And steel support ing a vast spread of wing and braced with piano wire. The wings them telves, whioh are made of nainsook a sort of muslin usually manufactured in India have an area of one hundred and fifty square feet; and eaoh ma chine, as our pictures indicate, pos senses a vertiole and a horizontal rud der ot circular shape, the one cutting the other at right angles. The for- ' mer, which is rigid, serves to keep the machine's head to wind, while the lat ter arrests an inclination to pttoh sideways a common vice in' all like -inventions. The great difficulty with winged aeronauts is the uncertain quality of the wind, for a steady, unvarying breeze is never to be calculated npon. Indeed, the sudden, unexpected side puff often brought disaster in its train to Mr. Tilcher, nntilvhe hit npon a means of ciroumventing it. He now draws his wing tips in with a bend. which renders a flying machine saier and more stable. 'Speaking generally, these experiments in flying or soaring are being made with a view to master ing the art of aerial balance and safo landing. Then, when the golden era dawns when a screw propeller or flap ping wings are introduced and a pow er discovered to work them, gentle men like Messrs. Lilienthal and Piloh er will spring gayly aloft to emulate the carrier or tumbler pigeon, and pnfc a girdle round the earth in a morn ing. May the necessary discovery ot a new power be speedily made. Mean time Mr. Piloher, on a fresh pair of wings wiUi a sail area of no less than three hundred feet, pursues his pluoky experiments at Cardross in Dumbar tonshire before numerous admirers. A liltlo' Girl's Daugcroiis Pets. The librarian ot Congress, says tho New York Sun, has received from an artist at Hot Springs, South Dakota, a photograph of Martha Momtyre, an eight-year-old child, who from her infancy bos had rauiesnaaes ior peis. When she was four years old ubo found A huge rattler coiled up in the yard DAISULY TRIMMED. IIAUTBA M'lSTrRB AND HER 8NAKE3. The prettiest have a loop effect over the bust And are fitted to the figure somewhat, although the loose, grace ful look is by no means changed, ina collar and belt must maton the front, and the whole thing will fit best it there are baok pieoes of plain mate rial Another point to be considered is to have the front wide enough to cover all the front of the waist. All colors and kinds ot ribbons ate used. the Dresden and the fanoy velvet rib bons being more liked than the plain satin. GARMENTS OF FUR. Among the elegant fur pelerines and other short oapes are those of mink, astrakhan, seal and ohinobilla, with bariug Oxford collars ot fur, sometimes matohing and sometimes contrasting with that of the oapn. Tbey are variously lined with change able satin, delioately tinted brooade or moire, aud they are from one-halt to three-quarters ot a yard in length;, with a 140-iuoh swoeu at tht loner dgs. neor her father's house, and by some mysterious power was able to come close and take hold ot him, whioh she did apparently without the slightest fear. Every montn or so buo woum find a new snake in the woods sear the house, and now she has as many as two dozen, none of wbina can be induoed to lef f her. The photo graph shows jt pets writhing on some slats nailod to two ooartis, wuuo Martha stands behind them, her hand on one of the reptiles, which is moving from side to side. Soma of these snakes are four feet long. A Nine-Ton Cake at a Food Show. Tanty's great cake waa "unveiled". at the Pure Food Show last night. It took op the entire middle part of the stage. The Second Regiment Baud in the wings played "lanuee jjooaie" and the "Marseillaise" as the curtain went up. The cake contains 12,0011 eggs, weighs nine tons and is fourteen feet high. It will be eaten next week. Chicago Inter-Ocean. Sparrows Served as Keeuulrils. There are few restaurants in the City where sparrows are out sereu up as reedbirdi. It has become a regu lar business, and may ultimately solve the sparrow nuisance. Philadelphia, Times.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers