It is said that one in every six of the women of India is a widow. There are in India, in round numbers, 21,000,000 widows, 78,976 of whom are child widows under nine years of age, and 207,388 from ten to fourteen years of age. This results from the practice of child marriage, which is prevalent in India. The following description of a Hindu child wedding is given by Mrs. Samuel Merrill, wife of the U. S. Consul in Calcutta:— "We asked, 'Which is the bride?' She was pointed out. 'That little creature! that tiny child!' I took her hand and patted her soft cheeks, and longed to pick her up in my arms and pet her, and love her—she was so small and yet going to be married to-night! She was eight years old, but looked not more than six. She did not smile or seem to care about anything. The mother was there, only twenty herself, and appearing like an older sister. I wondered if she did not pity her child. But the most engrossing object to our astonished eyes was the bridegroom. He sat in a large chair on a raised platform at one side, and was being disrobed by several attendants. Every article of his rich attire was taken off; his magnificent velvet robe was carefully folded and laid in a trunk which stood open near by, his white shirt, with its big diamond buttons and studs, his gilded slippers, his silken hose, his velvet trousers were all removed, leaving him in the usual native underdress; every ring and bracelet and chain were laid away in the trunk. A simple white muslin cloth was thrown over him, and with bare feet he advanced to the middle of the room, where a space had been kept clear, and sat down on his heels before a small burning lamp. The father of the bride, having also thrown aside his gay clothes, sat by him, while several priests clustered near. It would be impossible to describe all the ceremonies that were performed, the priests blessing seeds and powders and bits of sticks, and passing them back and forth, sometimes putting them into the hands of the bridegroom, sometimes into those of the father, and sometimes again into the flame of the lamp. We could not understand what it all meant. "All the while the bands were playing and servants were passing refreshments and buttonhole bouquets or garlands to each of the guests. No bride had as yet been seen, but presently the groom was led from the room, and we were told he had gone to seek his bride. In about a half hour the pair returned hand in hand, and we looked eagerly at the little bride, this dear girl of eight years. The small toes were so covered with heavy rings that she could not step properly, but was235forced to walk on her heels. She was simply dressed in a scarlet silk sarree, as the woman's one garment is called, her hair done up in a knot behind. She looked timid and frightened. Just think of that child alone amid that multitude, not even her mother by her side—one little baby girl among a thousand men. The composure was astonishing. She was seated on her heels, of course, opposite her boyish lover, with the lamp between them, and the same sort of proceedings as before were continued. She must have grown very weary before the long ceremony was finished. "Finally the oldest priest took her hand and laid it on that of the boy, and tied them together with silken cords and chains of gold. It was a beautiful thing, but I never can forget my feelings as I saw that baby hand, that tiny, dimpled, pretty hand, extended to be tied fast and forever to a boy she had never seen before, and at an age when she ought to be in a mother's loving, tender care. It was an interesting sight, but, oh, so sad! After a while their dresses were tied together at the corners, some more rupees were passed about—there seemed to be a great abundance of them—some were tied up in their robes, different headdresses were tried on the pair, glittering, spangled things; new garments were blessed by the priests and thrown over them, and at last the long, long ceremony was over, and the married children disappeared. This event is the end of that girl's childhood. She is a woman now—all freedom is over to her—entered into the zenana a wife, her future life is shut up within its high walls."—Christian at Work.