consideration to fix upon a lucky day and hour for the knot to be tied.  With this object astrologers, sooth-sayers, and others of that class were consulted, who, by certain divinations ascertained the most auspicious time for the union to take place in.  When the day arrived every occurrence was watched for omens.  A crow or turtle dove appearing near was a good omen:  for these birds symbolized conjugal fidelity.  The ceremony was begun by sacrificing a sheep to Juno, the fleece being spread upon two chairs on which the bride and bridegroom sat:  then a prayer was said over them.  The young wife, carrying a distaff and spindle filled with wool, was conducted to her house, a cake, baked by the vestal virgins, being carried before her.  The threshold of the house was disenchanted by charms, and by annointing it with certain unctuous perfumes; but as it was considered unlucky for the new-made wife to tread upon the threshold on first entering her house, she was lifted over it and seated upon a piece of wool, a symbol of domestic industry.  The keys of the house were then put into her hand, and the cake was divided among the guests.  The first work of the young wife was to spin new garments for her husband.  It will be seen that many of these practices were mixed up with superstitious notions, many of which were prevalent in this country sixty years ago, and some of which still remain in country districts.  Sixty years ago when a young woman became a bride, she in a great measure secluded herself from society, and mixed but little even with her companions, and on no account would she show herself at church until after her marriage, as that was considered very unlucky.  The evening before the marriage her presents and outfit were conveyed to her future home under the superintendence of the best maid (bridesmaid), who carried with her a certain domestic utensil filled with salt, which was the first article of the bride’s furnishing taken into the house.  A portion of the salt was sprinkled over the floor as a protection against an evil eye.  The house being set in order, the best maid returned to the bride’s house where a company of the bride’s companions were met, and then occurred the ceremony of washing the bride’s feet.  This was generally the occasion of much mirth.  And this was in all probability a survival of an old Scandinavian custom under which the Norse bride was conducted by her maiden friends to undergo a bath, called the bride’s bath, a sort of religious purification.  On the marriage day, every trifling circumstance which would have passed without notice at other times was noted and scanned for omens of good or evil.  If the morning was clear and shining, this betokened a happy cheerful life; if dull and raining, the contrary result might be anticipated.  I have known the following incidents cause grave concern about the future prospects of the young couple:—­A clot of soot coming down the chimney and spoiling the breakfast; the bride accidentally breaking a dish;