A bride dressed for her wedding in solid black is a feature of an exhibition of strange marriage rites of other times and lands arranged today at the library from the famous Widener collection.

The black bridal dress, it is explained, originated in Bohemia, where it was customary to regard marriage as an event of great religious solemnity, which the bride must approach with grave spirit.

Other bridal gowns, some bright green and red, and others which swathe the lady completely from head to foot, leaving only her toes visible, are also shown in the display, which is from early nineteenth century English and French costume books.

At a peculiar ceremony, in the time of the English king Henry VIII, the marriage party of a nobleman walked in a bizarre parade headed by representations of the ancient gods Diana and Mercury, and by ten cupids, five of them white and five negro.

Turkish marriage processions, in which the bride rides to her husband's home on horseback, with servants carrying a large, tent-shaped veil, to shield both the lady and her mount from public view, are also shown.