"بعثة لإجراء عملية مسح لنهري دجلة والفرات، تم تنفيذها بأمر من الحكومة البريطانية، في السنوات ١٨٣٥، ١٨٣٦، ١٨٣٧؛ تسبقها إشعارات جغرافية وتاريخية للمناطق الواقعة بين نهري النيل والسند. في أربعة مجلّدات. مع أربع عشرة خريطة ورسمًا، ومزينة بثلاث عشرة لوحة، بالإضافة للعديد من الرسومات بالحفر على الخشب. المجلّد الأول." [‎٢‎٤‎٣] (٩٠٥/٣٠٨)

CHAP. XI.]
MARRIAGE CUSTOMS.
243
wetted, and thus become impervious to the rain. The tent
of the common people is from 20 to 25 feet long, by 10 or
12 feet broad, 8 or 9 high in the centre, and 3 or 4 at
the sides, which are usually closed by reed-mats, instead of
hair-cloth. It is supported by two, and occasionally, when
the size is considerable, by three or more poles in a row;
and the space within is divided by a curtain, so as to separate
the apartment of the men from that of the women.
In Persia, as in Barbary and in most parts of the East, Formalities
the. preliminaries of a marriage are (without the parties marriage,
having met) carried on by a female relative, who first sounds
the mother of the lady, and then a formal deputation on the
part of the youth is sent to the parents of,,the latter. Being
affianced, the suitor endeavours to obtain the sum which he
has agreed to pay; whilst, on the other hand, a provision
is made by way of dower, consisting of some clothes, but
chiefly carpets, cooking apparatus, china-ware, and household
utensils. These matters of detail vary according to the
wealth of the parties, and, in the case of the rich, are pro
vided immediately; whilst the poorer people sometimes re
quire a year or two for making good the arrangements. The
contract stipulating for a provision in case of divorce, or the
death of the husband, is then drawn out, and is signed by
the kazi, or a mulla, in the presence of witnesses.
On the appointed evening the bride is conducted to the Rejoicings on
house of her husband, accompanied by the relatives, friends, the occasion -
and neighbours of both parties, with bands of music and
singers, firing of muskets, and other noisy rejoicings.
Among humble individuals these festivities conclude with a
supper; while the rich make a ruinous display, which con
tinues during many successive days. 1
In addition to the permanent marriages, which, for each
man, are restricted to four, others of a temporary nature
take place in the presence of the kazi; when the woman,
1 Chardin describes the festivities of a great wedding at Ispahan, which
lasted fourteen days, with a succession of guests; the courtiers, king's favour
ites, generals, pontiffs, chancellors, secretaries, and men of note, including
the sovereign, being received successively in conformity to rank and etiquette.
—-Voyage, Tome VI., p. 213.