Should the affianced girl die during the period of betrothal, the intended bridegroom worships and burns incense before a pair of the shoes last worn by her for two years to induce her spirit to be present. In some cases a comb is broken, and the pieces are sent to be put in her coffin.
In the event of the death of the bridegroom-elect, the bride will sometimes refuse to marry — many indeed would object to engage their son to her. In this case she can oblige the parents of her intended husband to shelter and support her; and in poor families a girl will sometimes be sent to her future parents-in-law as soon as the engagement has been entered upon.
In some cases a girl is purchased to train up as a wife for the son, thus obviating much of the ordinary expense; and in very poor families the extraordinary practice may be observed of purchasing a woman whose husband is still living, but who is willing to dispose of her. In this case, an ordinary black sedan is employed for her conveyance to the residence of her purchaser, where a feast is held, and the acts of worship performed as in ordinary cases; a bill-of-sale being considered necessary as a ratification of the act.
It is considered disgraceful for a widow to marry again, and suicides on their part, as also on that of girls whose betrothed have died, are considered meritorious, and are sometimes performed in public.
A widow who has kept the memory of her husband sacred till the age of fifty can, if possessed of influence, have an honorary portal erected to her in the street.
In the event of her contracting a second marriage, she may not employ a bridal chair nor wear bridal clothes, her choice in colours being limited to black, white, or blue, and her chair-bearers to two.
If she have had children, she may not take them with her. All relationship with them is considered to be at an end: they remain with their paternal grandfather, and speak of themselves as having no mother or as having been deserted.
Pressure is at times brought to bear upon a widow by "parents making no particular pretence to respectability to induce her to marry again, and thus relieve them from the expense of supporting her, and
