When these ceremonies are finished, the
tahly is brought on a waiter, ornamented with sweet-smelling flowers,
and is tied by the bridegroom to the neck of the bride. This ornament is
never taken off, unless her husband dies. In such a case she is deprived
of it, to wear it no more for ever--deprived of it, after various
ceremonies, by her nearest female relative, who cuts the thread by which
it is suspended, and removes it. After this a barber is called, who
shaves her head, and she becomes, in the eyes of the people, a
_despised_ widow--no more to wear any ornament about her neck but a
plain one--no more to stain her face with yellow water, nor to wear on
her forehead those marks which are considered by the natives as among
their chief ornaments.
I have now told you something about the jewels of this people. I hope
that you will never be disposed to imitate them, and load your bodies
with such useless things. They are not only useless, but tend to
encourage pride and vanity. All that you need is, the "Pearl of great
price," even Jesus. Adorn yourself with this Pearl, and you will be
beautiful indeed--beautiful even in the sight of your heavenly Father.
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