wedding are sometimes sent the day
previous, sometimes carried in person. Anything fantastic is generally
presented at the gathering, to contribute to its hilarity. The silver
wedding gifts are nearly always sent in advance, and are displayed on a
table, the cards of the donor usually being left on them. The recipients
are to tender their thanks in person or by note.

Every effort should be made to have these festivities joyous. Especially
should the wife subdue her emotion if the review of the years since her
bona fide wedding day have seen the loss of beloved children. She must
stifle her sad recollections for the sake of her guests.

The members of the bridal party, the more honored guests at the first
wedding, the clergyman who officiated, are sought as welcome guests at the
anniversary. The bride that was wears something she wore on the first
occasion. If the wedding dress and the bridegroom's suit have been
preserved they are worn--and wonderfully quaint they often look, so great
the change in fashion.

CHRISTENING CEREMONIES.

"Our birth is nothing but our death begun,
as tapers waste the moment they take fire."
--Young.

The arrival of the stork with the new baby is an event of vast family
interest, especially if it is the first visit of the bird to the domicile.
In America it is not customary to announce a birth in the newspapers, as
is often done in England, especially among the nobility. The personal
friends of the parents receive the visiting card of both, or of the mother
only, to which is attached a small card bearing the baby's full name and
the date of his arrival. These are enclosed in an envelope, this again in
an outer one, and mailed.

It is proper for those thus notified to call at an early date to inquire
as to the well-being of mother and babe. As it is not customary for the
mother to receive any but a very few of her nearest relatives under at
least three weeks, callers should not be expected to see her, but are to
leave cards. A note of congratulation is often sent instead of calling,
and offers to the ingenious and witty an excellent chance for the display
of delicate pleasantry. Thus it is entirely proper to address the note to
the baby, and congratulate him on having chosen such charming parents, and
such a lovely home. Flowers are not infrequently sent to the mother, and
little gifts--soft booties, little gold pins for sleeve and neck, little
croc