From a visit to the market, we will take another turn, and accompany the bridal party in their attendance at the altar. In former days, during the existence of slavery, the ceremony of marriage was but seldom performed, consequently the nuptial feasts were “few and far between.” The case, however, is now very different; for, since the “glorious 1st of August,” (1834,) weddings are very frequent, and many a grand fête is given in honour of the “saffron-crowned god.” The first step upon this eventful occasion is, of course, to get the bans of marriage published—or, as they term it, “to hab dere name call out”—unless they can afford to purchase a licence, which is the case with some. Then comes the purchasing of that “small and holy round,” the wedding ring, the bridal dresses, and the wedding breakfast. When all these preliminaries are arranged with satisfaction to themselves, the next grand point is to borrow, from different gentlemen, horses, gigs, and phaetons. Not being their own property, and not often having the _chance_ of shewing off their knowledge of the “whip,” no mercy is shewn to the unfortunate animal they that day guide. To give _éclat_ to the wedding-day by astonishing the inhabitants of the town, the gentlemen drive as violently as they can up one street, down another, turn the corners like wildfire, and then, after running over a chicken or two, or disturbing the ruminations of a few quiet ducks, deposit their female companion at the church doors, and start away, in the same random manner, to fetch another fair dame from her homage at a sixpenny “looking-glass.” It is impossible to describe the noise and confusion which ensues on mornings when such deeds are done,—Virgil’s chariot-race was nothing to the speed with which these aspiring youths urge on the foaming steeds. The consequence of this is, that the horse is very often returned to his owner broken-kneed, or else killed upon the spot, by the shaft of another gig penetrating its chest; and the carriage left minus a shaft or a wheel.