Beauplan.
Maiden-head, they make the House ring with joyful Acclamations, in which all the Kindred joins. After that, when she is dress'd, it is after the fashion of Women, into which number she is admitted, that is, her Head is cover'd, which is only allow'd to them, for Maids never wear any thing but their Hair, and would look upon it as a disgrace.
Next day another no less comical part is acted, which to those who have not seen it must seem very strange, which is, that they run a Staff through both the Smock Sleeves, turning it the wrong side outwards, and so in great state walk with it all about the Town, like a Banner bearing the honourable Tokens of the Combat, that all the People may be witnesses, both of the Bride's Virginity, and the Bridegroom's Manhood. All the Guests follow with the Musick, singing, and dancing more eagerly than before. And in this Procession, the young Men leading the young Maids that were at the Wedding, walk all about the Town; all the Multitude runs ont, hearing the noise, and follow them till they return to the House of the new-marry'd Couple.
But if on the other side they should not find the Marks of Honour, every Man throws down his Glass, and the Women forbear singing, for then the Feast is spoil'd, and the Bride's Kindred disgraced, and out of countenance. There ends the Wedding: then they commit a thousand Extravagancies in the House, make Holes in the Pots the Meat was dress'd in, break off the Mouths of the earthen Cups they drank out of, put a Horse Collar about the Bride's Mother's Neck; then set her upon a Table, and sing a thousand filthy beastly Songs to her, giving her to drink in one of those broken-mouth'd Caps, and upbraid her unmercifully for not having been watchful in preserving her Daughter's Honour. In short, after having us'd all the vile Language they can think of to her, every one goes home vex'd to have been at so disagreeable an Entertainment. Especially the Kindred of the Bride keep in their Houses as if they absconded, and continue there fome time without stirring abroad, because of the shame of that Misfortune. As for the Husband, it is left to his choice to keep or leave her; but if he will keep her, he must resolve to put up all Affronts that shall be offer'd him upon that account.
Cossack Women chast. I must add this one word more upon this Subject, concerning the Manners of their Women, and allow them the Honour of being chast when fasting; but the liberty allow'd them of drinking Aqua Vite, and their Liquor made of Honey, would render them more easy of access, were it not for fear of publick Shame, and the dishonour done to Maids if they will marry, as has been shown above, without having the Tokens of their Virginity.
Ceremonies at Easter
Before I conclude this Discourse, I will say something of the Ceremonies they observe at Easter. Upon Holy Saturday they go to Church (which they call Cerkeil) to be present at the Ceremonics perform'd there, which are putting an Image of our Saviour into a Sepulcher, whence they draw it out with great solemnity: Which Representation being ended, all the Men, Women, and Children go in their turns, and kneel down before the Bifhop ( whom they call Wladik) and prefent him an Egg painted red, or yellow, speaking these words, Christos vos Christ; and the Bishop lifting up each Person says, Oystinos vos Christos, and at the same time kisses the Women and Maids. Thus the Bishop, in less than two hours, gathers above five or six thoufand Eggs, and has the satisfaction of kissing the handsomest Women and Maids in his Church: true it is, it would be some trouble to him, and displeasing, to kiss the old Women; but he has ways to make a distinction between them, for when he does not like the Faces, he only gives them his hand to kiss. The Metropolitan call'd Moquilla, who is Head of all the Bishops, exercis'd this Function at Kiow, as do all the meanest Curats, whom they call Dospodé.
For eight days there is no going about the Streets, without a quantity of those painted Eggs, to give such of your Acquaintance as you meet, saying the same words they do to the Wladik, or Dospodé. Then the Friend, whether Man or Woman, answering as above, they embrace one another and kiss; and he or she thus saluted, is oblig'd to return another Egg, performing the same Ceremony over again.
On Easter Monday, very early in the Morning, they have another pleasant Custom, which is, that several young Fellows go about the Streets together, and take up all the young Maids they meet, whom they carry to the brink of a Well to bathe them, throwing five or six Pails of Water over their Heads, that they may be wet all over. This Sport is only allow'd till Noon.On
