Quick question. I am installing an old chandelier that only has two wires. However, the two wires are not mark which is hot/negative. I am assuming that it does not matter which wire is tied to black/white from the house. Is this correct? Thanks

good question but i would assume it didnt matter. maybe wire it into an extention cord first, that way you can wire it both ways, then plug it in and check if the light works. thats what i would do. take an old 2 wire extention cord (or a power cord from an old tv or other electric device) wire everything together and see if it works...

it does not matter, but do run a ground from the base of the light to the bare copper wire in the box so your grounded.

If the wires have one that feels like it has ribs on it, then that is the neutral and the slick wire is the hot. But like others say it doesn't really matter.

a light bulb only completes a circuit and the resistance is what makes it glow. the current flow matters not. the ground does matter

Can I ground the wire from the box to the mounting bracket on the chandelier?

I'm not an electrician but here is my understanding for what it is worth. The black wire (hot) should go to the center electrode in the lamp sockets. The white (neutral) should go to the outer shell. The (bare) ground should connect to the exposed metal on the lamp. This is suppose to make it safer for people to change the bulbs. Now back to watching Detroit getting creamed.

yes

Depending on how old it is you should check all of the wiring to assure it is not cracked and/or brittle.