History of the Parsis : including their manners, customs, religion and present position : with coloured and other illustrations : in two volumes

CHAP. IV.] MARRIAGE IN PERSIA. Ig!

your actions seek the advice of wise men, and in all things trust in God, and always thank Him for His mercies.” .

The officiating priest then recites certain prayers of repentance for sins, praising Ahura Mazda the Almighty God for His just acts and commandments, and invoking His blessings upon all on earth. After these prayers the priest asks the father of the girl whether he has consented to give his daughter to the man proposed. On receiving the answer, he asks the bridegroom whether he has agreed to take the young woman for his wife. The bridegroom haying answered in the affirmative, he and the bride jom hands, and walk round a blazing fire three times. This completes the ceremony, and, after partaking of a sumptuous dinner, the parties separate. The girl then goes to live with her husband. The Persian Zoroastrians do not, as already stated, give their children in marriage till the boy has attained the age of twenty and the girl that of fifteen.

It is gratifying to know that the Parsis have not followed the Hindus in the cruel custom of prohibiting their widows from re-marrying, a tyranny which is sometimes followed by so much sin and mischief. Notwithstanding this permission, there are very few Parsi widows who marry again; and if they do so, it is generally before they have arrived at the age of forty. In the case of those who have reached this