Collectanea. 3 1 9
wedding or not. The well-to-do folk brought large slabs of butter and cakes with them to the wedding, as well as a gift of mone\ The chief man at the wedding was named as the kjogemester ("governor of the feast"); he had to read grace to all the folk before and after meals ; he superintended the presents, and, when the bridal pair returned from the church, he stood out in the yard to welcome them. Besides the " governor of the feast " and the two " cellar-men," there were two leiesvende (unmarried men who lead the bride), who were usually chosen from the bride's nearest of kin. They escorted the bride to and from the church, led her to the altar, and looked after her thoroughly in every way. The health- drinking was a most solemn rite, and at big weddings it lasted for several days. The bridal pair sat on the "high-seat," and the master of the feast sat beside them. The bridal pair's parents came and presented gifts, then followed the other relations, and then the remaining guests. Well-to-do parents would give 10 to 12 dollars, other relations i to 2 dollars, and the other guests 4 orts. The master of the feast called out the name of the giver and the amount of the gift ; this was carefully noted down by a chosen scribe, so that, if any of the givers should be married, the young couple would know how much to give them. Finally, " the cellar-men's party" was held. The "cellar-men" could invite whom they pleased ; they were generally girls. There was nearly always dancing at the wedding. The musicians drove in front of the bridal pair on the way to the church, playing as they went along. In the oldest times it was customary for two men to steal home whilst the folk were at church ; they crept into the farm secretly, so that the folk should not see them on their return from church. Their object was to reach the "high-seat" without being seen. Generally they tried to get in through the window ; they would take it out •* noiselessly and get upon the seat. If anyone spied them out the master of the feast was at once informed, whereupon he fired a shot, and they were obliged to surrender. If they reached the seat successfully, and the master of the feast was thus unable to capture them, it was considered a disgrace to him, and his office was taken from him, but he was able to recover it by giving beer to all the guests.
'* Loose wooden shutters were used before glass.
