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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[FEBRUARY, 1891.
SOCIAL CUSTOMS; MARRIAGE.
fooled the simple parents into believing that he In China.
had a son who was seeking a wife, and ultimately With reference to the following cutting regard- he induced them to engage Peachblossom to him ing a Chinese legend as to the custom of in marriage. The marriage cards were duly interthrowing rice at weddings, is there any story changed: but the crafty Chao had chosen the or legend connected with the custom in India most unlucky day he could select for the wedding, or Europe P: -
the day when the "Golden Pheasant" was in the The Chinese Times gives the following version ascendant. Surely as the bride entered the red of the origin of the custom of throwing rice at chair, the spirit-bird would destroy her with his
powerful beak. But the wise Peachblossom knew some 1,500 years before Christ, there lived in the all these things, and feared not. "I will go," she province of Shansi a most famous sorcerer called said ; "I will fight and defeat him." When the Chao. It happened one day that one P'ang wedding morning came, she gave directions to came to consult the oracle, and Chao, having have rice thrown out at the door, which the spirit. divined by means of the tortoise diagram, inform- bird seeing, made haste to devour, and while his ed the trembling Pang that he had but six days | attention was thus occupied, Peachblossom stepped to live. Now, however much we may trust the into the bridal chair and passed on her way unsagacity and skill of our family physician, we may harmed. And now the ingenuous reader knows be excused if, in a matter of life and death, we why he throws rice after the bride. If any in. call in a second doctor for a consultation, and in terest has been engendered in his breast by this such a strait, it is not to be wondered at that tale of the fair Peachblossom, let him listen to Pang should repair to another source to make what befell her at the house of the magician. sure that there was no mistake. To the fair Peach- Arrived at Chao's house, no bridegroom was there, blossom he went, a young lady who had acquired but an attendant was given her, and the two girls some reputation as a sorceress, and to the tender prepared to pass the night in the room assigned feminine heart unfolded the story of his woe. to them. Peachblossom was wakeful, for she Her divination yielded the same result as knew that, when the night passed, the "Golden Chao's; in six days P'ang should die, unless, by Pheasant" would be succeeded by the evil star of the exercise of her magical powers, she could avert the "White Tiger," whose power and ferocity who the catastrope. Her efforts were successful, and can tell? “Go you to bed first," she said to the on the seventh day great was Chao's astonishment maid. The girl was soon asleep, and still her and still greater his mortification and rage, when mistress slept not, but continued to pace the room, he met P'ang taking his evening stroll and learned and at midnight the tiger-spirit came and the that there lived a greater magician than he. The morning light showed Peach blossom still pacing story would soon get about, and unless he could the room, while on the bed lay the lifeless body of quickly put an end to his fair rival's existence, his the little maid. Thus were fought the magic battles reputation would be ruined. And this was how of Peachblossom and Chao, and many more were Chao plotted against the life of Peachblossom. there, until they took their flight to heaven, where He sent a go-between to Peachblossom's parent now they reign as gods. And on earth the actors to inquire if their daughter was still unmarried, have not idols more prized than those of Peachand receiving a reply in the affirmative, he be- blossom and Chao Kung. R. C. TEMPLE.
BOOK-NOTICES. The KAUSIKASUTRA OF THE ATHARVAVEDA, edited by and omens. It is presupposed by the Vaitd.
MAURICE BLOOMFIELD. New Haven, 1890. 8vo. nasitra, which is the Srautasátra of the Athar. pages lxviii. and 424. (Journal of the American
vavéda ; and thongh "a rather late product of Oriental Society, Vol. XIV.)
the efforts to put into exact easily remembered Students of Vedic literature will hail with form the traditional practices of the Atharvan," delight this editio princeps of the Kausikasatra. it contains a considerable amount of ancient A glance at the critical notes, which stand on Aryan superstitions, some of which can perhaps every page of the beautifully printed text, will still be traced among the sister nations of Europe. give the reader an idea how much patient labour It thus commands an international interest, was required in order to rescue this difficult besides its importance in the history of Indian book from oblivion and corruption. The Karbi- language and literature. Professor Bloomfield's kasitra occupies an almost unique place among edition is based on eight MSS. and accompanied the Vedic Satras, as it treats chiefly of charms by extracts from the valuable commentary of
