After many other ceremonies, he takes the hand of his daughter and puts it into that of his son-in-law.  He then pours water over them in honor of Vrishnoo.  This is the most solemn of all the ceremonies, being the token of his resigning his daughter to the authority of the young man.  She must be accompanied with three gifts, namely, one or more cows, some property in land, and a salagrama, which consists of some little amulet stones in high esteem among the Brahmins.  This ceremony being finished, the tahly is brought to be fastened to the neck of the bride.  This, as I before said, is presented on a salver, decked and garnished with sweet-smelling flowers.  Incense is offered to it, and it is presented to the assistants each of whom touches it and invokes blessings upon it.  The bride then turning towards the East, the bridegroom takes the tahly, repeats a muntrum or prayer aloud, and ties it around her neck.

Fire is then brought in, upon which the bridegroom offers up the sacrifice of homam, which consists of throwing boiled rice with melted butter upon the fire.  He then takes his bride by the hand, and they walk three times around it, while the incense is blazing.

There is another ceremony, which, perhaps, ought to be mentioned, as it is considered by some to be one of much importance.  Two baskets of bamboo are placed close together, one for the bride, the other for the bridegroom.  They step into them, and two other baskets being brought, filled with ground rice, the husband takes up one with both hands and pours the contents over the head of the bride.  She does the same to him.  In the marriage of great princes pearls are sometimes used instead of rice.

On the evening of the third day, when the constellations appear, the astrologer points out to the married pair a very small star, close to the middle or in the tail of Ursa Major, which he directs them to worship, and which he says is the wife of Vasestha.

While the assembled guests, are dining, the bridegroom and the bride also partake, and eat together from the same plate.  This is a token of the closest union.  This is the only instance in which they ever eat together.

After all the ceremonies are finished, a procession is made through the streets of the village It commonly takes place in the night, by torchlight, accompanied with fire-works.  The newly married pair are seated in one palanquin with their faces towards each other, both richly dressed.  The bride, in particular, is generally covered with jewels and precious stones.

The procession moves slowly; and their friends and relations come out of their houses, as they pass; the women hailing the married couple with the ceremony of arati, and the men with presents of silver, fruits, sugar, and betel.  I once witnessed one of these marriage processions in the streets of Madras at night, but can give you but little idea of its magnificence.  The lamps used on the occasion could