a Dutch
country wedding guests start up in numbers astonishing to one who has
merely ridden through the plains of sparsely-inhabited karoo.

As the morning advances, riders on many shades of steeds appear from all
directions, and add their saddles to the long rows against the walls,
shake hands, drink coffee, and stand about outside in groups to watch
the arriving carts and ox-wagons, as they are unburdened of their heavy
freight of massive Tantes and comely daughters, followed by swarms of
children of all sizes, dressed in all manner of print and moleskin, who
are taken care of by Hottentot, Kaffer, and half-caste nurses, whose
many-shaded complexions, ranging from light yellow up to ebony black,
add variety to the animated scene.

Everywhere is excitement and bustle, which gradually increases as the
time for the return of the wedding-party approaches. Preparations for
the feast are actively advancing in the kitchen; coffee is liberally
handed round, and amid a profound sensation, and the firing of guns,
the horse-wagon draws up, and the wedding-party alight. Bride
and bridegroom, with their attendants, march solemnly to the
marriage-chamber, where bed and box are decked out in white, with ends
of ribbon and artificial flowers, and where on a row of chairs the party
solemnly seat themselves. After a time bridesmaid and best man rise, and
conduct in with ceremony each individual guest, to wish success and to
kiss bride and bridegroom.

Then the feast is set on the table, and it is almost sunset before the
dishes are cleared away, and the pleasure of the day begins. Everything
is removed from the great front room, and the mud floor, well rubbed
with bullock's blood, glistens like polished mahogany. The female
portion of the assembly flock into the side-rooms to attire themselves
for the evening; and re-issue clad in white muslin, and gay with bright
ribbons and brass jewelry. The dancing begins as the first tallow
candles are stuck up about the walls, the music coming from a couple of
fiddlers in a corner of the room. Bride and bridegroom open the ball,
and the floor is soon covered with whirling couples, and every one's
spirits rise. The bridal pair mingle freely in the throng, and here and
there a musical man sings vigorously as he drags his partner through the
Blue Water or John Speriwig; boys shout and applaud, and the enjoyment
and confusion are intense, till eleven o'clock comes. By this time the
children who sw