To 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.
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