353 MARRIAQE opportunity of visiting the refresh- ■■■■■■■^^■■■■l It is wise to use boxes less mcnt table beforehand. ^^^BP^SSS^^^I (distinctive in shape than was The bride retires to another P^J't^HBmj^ffil^S^^H once usual, and for the foUow- of the room with the ^^■■■■HP^^S^K^U^^^^B^IBI ing practical reason, bridegroom, and they ^^^HHR^-^v^f^HUM^^^^^^^I When wedding-cake taste their own wed- ^^^^T^^Wf } ffp&^Sc^l^^'v'V^^^H was sent by post in ding-cake and drink ^^-i.^-' . '^!:^.^v.icf'.^-^ t^- -^- ^W boxes whose shape each other's health in ■^Viv?i^'|^|r|BJ^^ and character indi- c h a m p a g n e , ^^^^^.-.^LU{:.t^^5!^ cated the with probably HH^B • ' 'u'^i^^SfflE^SH^^^^^ki^H ^ ^ ^ P t i n g an interlude of ^^^^H ^ "^^J^^^^^^^^fj^^S^^^^^^U nature of the some kind of ^^^^^ -^n^^V^^C^^Hl^BJ^^^^^^^H contents, refreshment ^^^^B ^* •</?/ iOi^^^^^^^^^^^H ^'^^ ^^^nd that better s u i t e d |^^^^P|^ ,■ , ^ ^^^ ^<^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H P^^^^^^S^ ^^"' than wedding- ^^^Hjl. rr-fH^^j^^^^^H^^^^^^B siderably re- cake to accom- ^^B^ygp%'X;^,| , ^ - -' f j^f^^je^^ f ^^K^^tKIB^^^^^^ duced the pany dry cham- ^^MjWfcwpM quantity of P^gne. ^^^Ral^»^MiM their contents, ^^^JBSi^^i^S^^lkjl^l^^lkSi^^^StiSB p^ ^nd that in the Wed- ^^^^laoKjg^^jaggaf^g^l^^miM^tBmm^^^m ^^^^ instances ding:.cake Away ^^^^^^H|^^^K^|^^^H|^^^^^^H they had Sometimes HI^^HIHIHHHI^^^HH^^^HIHI entirely the bride's A guinea wedding-cake ^oi^ana peared. the family under- boxesand takes the sending out of cake to friends and cards (and sometimes the boxes only) alone relations who have been unable to be present surviving the possibilities of transit, at the wedding. The necessary little boxes The correct list of wedding anniversaries is are procured from the stationer, and the as follows : wedding-cards* having been previously pre- Penny Wedding (each guest pays pared, the packing up and addressing are one penny) all that then remain to be done. Wooden „ 5 years The caterers undertake this business of Tin „ 10 ,, sending out cake and cards, supplying the Crystal „ 15 |, boxes and needing only a list of the names China „ 20 „ and addresses of those to whom it is to be Silver „ 25 „ sent. Golden „ . . .... 50 ,' • See chapter on cards DiamOUd ,, 60 „ THE BEST MAN The Duties of the Best Man — How he Should Dress — Groomsmen and their Duties [T IS a smcere compliment to be chosen by a friend as his best man and moral supporter at his wedding. It implies that the person chosen is regarded as a true and intimate friend. The duties are not arduous, as will be seen when they are enumerated later on. It was once unheard-of that any but an unmarried man should fill this office. A widower even was not permitted to act in the capacity. But all that has been altered for many years. Some bridegrooms have been attended by their fathers as best friends. Many have chosen a married man. Perhaps this is wise, as a certain amount of experience is useful on all such occasions, especially if the bridegroom should be a bachelor. Widowers may be supposed to know something of the routine of the cere- mony. Duties of the Best Man The choice made, the role accepted, it fnlls to the lot of the best man to see that D 27 his friend makes every possible preparation for the great day ; that he has his new clothes home from the tailor in good time. Hatter, bootmaker, and hosier have to be looked up. The best man must see, also, that all that is needful in the way of port- manteaux, travelling rugs, and so on. is provided in anticipation of the wedding trip. In fact, the best man has to act like an amateur valet, and more especially if the bridegroom should not happen to possess that useful adjunct. The best man sees that the packing is aU done, even to the labels, on the day before that fixed for the ceremony, and that the wedding garments are laid out all ready. If his friend should be nervous in anticipa- tion of the coming ordeal, it is the business of the best man to inspire him with courage, and to infuse into him that spirit of resigna- tion which is his best armour against tribulation. This may seem strange lan- guage to use about what should be the I A
