into the bed-chamber, where he consigned her to the care of all the
married ladies present, himself retiring immediately after. Those
matrons assisted in disrobing her of the bridal vestments, and in
assuming the garb appropriate to the chamber in which they were.
The passajonaiatetz next performed the like office of conducting
the bridegroom to the chamber, who put on his _schlafrock_, or
nightgown, the married ladies having previously retired. These
operations being concluded, the doors of the bed-chamber were thrown
open, and we all walked in in procession, quaffing a goblet of Champagne
to the health of the parties, kissing the bride's hands, who returned
the salutations on our cheeks, and embracing _à la Francaise_ the
cheeks of the bridegroom, who luckily, in the present instance, had
neither the Russian beard nor the modern English whiskers. With one
voice we then wished the happy pair a hearty blessing, and withdrew,
when the doors were closed. The company gradually dispersed. Dinners
and dancing went on for three successive days. On the first of these
I attended for a few minutes, being determined to satisfy my curiosity
to the last. I had, however, to pay for this indulgence, having been
compelled, by immemorial usage, on entering the room, to drink a bumper
of the sparkling juice to the dregs in honour of the bride, to undergo
the same ceremony of bride and bridegroom's salutation, and to whirl
half a round of a waltz with the former. But I had made up my mind
to bear even worse _inconveniences_ than these, should it have been
necessary, rather than forego the advantage of judging for myself of the
truth or falsehood of the many exaggerated and fanciful descriptions
given by travellers of a Russian wedding. To complete this account of
what I _witnessed_, I should add, that on the eighth day, the happy
pair attended once more at the church, for the ceremony of "dissolving
the crowns," which is performed by the priest, with appropriate prayers,
in allusion to the rites of matrimony.