An account of Sueden together with an extract of the history of that kingdom.

CHAP. VII.

Of their Marriages and Fu∣nerals.

MArriages in Sueden are to∣tally govern'd by the Will of the Parents, and found∣ed so much upon Interest, that the Inclination of the Parties is little regarded, nor the Nation much troubled with the Extra∣vagancies of Lovers: Stealing of Matches is scarce heard of in an Age; nor can the Church give License to Marry, without Publication of the Banns: Per∣sons of Quality of both Sexes commonly remain unmarried till Thirty or above, because their Fortunes on both sides be∣ing in their Parents hands while

they live, they are not in a con∣dition to maintain a Family, till the Death of Relations, or Advancement to Office, furnish them with the Means of subsisting. The Women, while young, have generally Fair Complexions, tolerable Features, and good Shapes; and some of them are accounted more eminent for Cha∣stity before Marriage, than Fi∣delity after; they are very fruit∣ful, and seldom fail of a Nu∣merous Issue: They are no where made greater Drudges than here, the meaner sort being, besides the ordinary offices of their Sex, put to Plow and Thrash, to Row in Boats, and bear Bur∣thens at the Building of Hou∣ses, and on other occasions.

Domestick Quarrels rarely hap∣pen, and more seldom become Publick; the Husbands being as apt

to keep the Authority in their own hands, as the Wives by Nature, Custom, or Necessity, are inclin'd to be Obedient: Divorces, and other Separations between Man and Wife, scarce ever happen, but among the In∣ferior sort, when the Innocent Party is allowed to marry a∣gain: Cousin-Germans may not Marry without the King's Di∣spensation, which is more fre∣quently granted, than refused.

In Wedding Entertainments they have ever affected Pomp and Superfluity beyond the pro∣portion of their Abilities; for by the Excess of one Day, oft∣times many of them involve themselves in such inconveniences as they feel many Years. The same is observable in their Fu∣neral Solemnities, which are usu∣ally accompanied with more

Jollity and Feasting than befits the Occasion; and to gain time to make their Preparations, they commonly Transport their Dead to Vaults within, or adjoyning to their Churches, where they remain unburied some Months, and some∣times several Years; but of late these, and other unnecessary Ex∣pences begin by degrees to be laid aside, as well in conformity to the Frugality of the Court, as in com∣pliance with their present For∣tunes, which are narrower now than they have formerly been.