This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1888 Excerpt: ... proposals always come from the lady's family. Marriages are almost invariably celebrated on the Sundays immediately preceding the great Lenten fast. This is a distinct survival of the ancient custom of marrying during the first month of the year, from which fact that month was formerly called Gamelion; and in the islands, where the men are often absent during the summer months in search of work abroad, the betrothals usually take place shortly before Christmas, with a view to the marriage being solemnized on one of the Sundays of the great marriage month. On the remote island of Telos, which is inhabited by semi-barbarous Greeks, they retain the most extraordinary and elaborate system of wedding festivities, which continue for the space of a fortnight, during which time the village enjoys one long holiday and cessation from work. The first ceremony takes place ten days before the crowning, with what they call the "little flour," when each household brings a handful of meal to the bride as an earnest that more will come presently, and as an intimation that all know about the wedding, and are prepared to share in the coming festivities. On this day and on every day before the wedding, the female friends of the bride assemble to assist in preparing the trousseau. Two days afterwards the "greater flour" takes Elace, when large quantities of grain are rought by all the friends for the wedding cakes. This is distributed by the young men to all the houses which possess a grindstone, to be ground, and late in the evening, accompanied by the sound of bagpipe and lyre, they go round to each house to collect it, and deposit it in that of the bride, where a table is spread, and great festivity and dancing ensue. The Sunday immediately preceding the...