when he takes her to his mother's, where there
is a new celebration, similar to the one that has already taken place at
the bride's mother's. The hour at which the groom goes for the bride is
so scrupulously observed that any delay would be a grave cause of
complaint, and perhaps of quarrels. The first day of the celebration is
called the "festival of the bride" (_fistinu di la zita_), and the
guests are all selected by the bride's mother. The second day is called
the "festival of the groom" (_fistinu di lu zitu_), and the guests are
all the friends of the groom. This ceremonial is, however, not so fine
as that called "of the bride," _di lu macadaru_. The bride, elegantly
dressed, is seated beneath a mirror to receive the congratulations of
her friends. At her right and left are placed seats for relatives and
friends, arranged according to certain traditional laws which no one
ever thinks of violating. The right side is reserved for the relatives
of the groom; and if any one is prevented by ill-health from attending
the festival, the seat belonging to him is either left vacant, or some
friend is sent to occupy it, or a pomegranate is placed in it, or it is
turned upside down. We may note, in passing, that the women alone are
allowed to be seated in the circle: the men, of every age and rank,
remain standing. This custom, and especially the position assumed by
the bride at that time, has given rise to the proverbial expression of
comparison: _Pari la zita di lu macadaru_, which is said of a woman in
gala-dress.[23]

Let us now pass to other parts of the island and share the
nuptial-banquet. Everywhere great quantities of macaroni or of fried
fish are prepared, and the guests eat and drink to repletion. Even the
most miserly are liberal on this occasion, and a proverb advises one to
attend the weddings of the avaricious: _A li nozzi di l'avaru
trovaticci_. The bride and groom, as can be easily imagined, have their
heads full of other things than macaroni and fried fish. At Borghetto
baked beans and pease are served not only to the bridal-party, but also
to the others, to whom, during the banquet, it is the custom to send a
dish of _maccarruna di zitu_--a dish in use also in Modica until within
fifty years. In Assaro there are the accustomed sweetmeats, the cakes of
honey and flour, and roast pease and almonds. At the banquet, where
usually these things are not lacking, they begin with macaroni, which in
Milazzo is poured