Scottish Feet-Washing
The eve of the Scottish wedding-day is termed
the feet-washing, when a party of the neigbbours of tbe bride
and bridegroom assemble at their respective houses. A
tub of water is brought in, in which the feet of the party
are placed, and a small piece of silver or copper money dropped
inlo the water; but at this moment one of the company generally
tosses in a handful of soot, by which the water is completely
blackened. A most eager and ludicrous scramble now takes place
among the lads and lasses, striving who shalt get the piece
of money, pushing, shoving, and splashing above the elbows;
for the lucky finder is to be the first married of the company.
A second and more cleanly ablution afterwards
takes place.
