As soon as we had had an examination of the different faces we adjourned to the next room, when my friend asked me what I thought of them. I scarcely knew what to reply, but I decidedly gave my opinion against the two that had so disgusted me. She herself made an objection to one of them, by saying “that, as she had a handkerchief round her face, she had, she supposed, the toothache, and she would not have one that had bad teeth.” However, she settled the matter by sending for the best-looking girl, and dismissing the others. On her entering the room the following dialogue took place:— _Lady._ “How old are you, young lady?” _Girl_ (with a low inclination). “Just eighteen, Madame.” _L._ “Have you any father, and what is he?” _G._ “My father is dead, he was an _employé_; but my mother is still alive, she lives near the Kousmitski most (Smith’s bridge).” _L._ “Very well: what is your intended’s name?” _G._ “I have none, Madame.” _L._ “You have none! and yet you ask me for a dowry? How is that?” _G._ (with a very low bow). “If you will promise me a trousseau, Madame, _I shall be able to find one before to-morrow morning_.” Incredible as it may appear, she actually _did find_ one, for the next day she presented herself, accompanied by a tall, fine-looking young man of about five-and-twenty, who came and examined the various articles of which the dowry consisted: he carefully counted each dozen of linen, had a strict survey of the six gowns and three bonnets, tested their quality, and, having been thoroughly convinced that there was no cheating in the case, consented to accept her “for better and for worse,” and _her_ marriage took place on the same day as that of the other five; when my friend exultingly said, “that she was quite delighted at having found six _pretty_ brides, for she should have been sorry to see such good wedding-clothes thrown away upon ugly people.” In Russia many marriages, even of people of rank, are made up by professed matchmakers. In the villages an old woman is generally employed by a young man to find him a suitable partner; he gives a correct account of the prospect his wife may expect, both of the agreeable and disagreeable; how much work she will have to do, whether his mother be alive (for that is a great consideration, as the daughter-in-law is entirely under her rule during her life), how great a marriage portion he expects, &c.; even the number of gowns and shoes is specified. A girl being found that will accept the terms, the courtship does not last long, for the church ceremony takes place immediately, or as soon as possible. When a general order arrives in a village from the proprietor, desiring all the young men and women to get married, the priest makes very short work of the religious ceremony, and marries a dozen couples or so at once. A lady told me that she was present when twenty-five couples were united by _one_ perusal of the mass appointed by the Greek Church for the occasion.