ciety papers
immediately after it has been made known to the kinfolk and intimate
friends. Felicitations follow as a matter of course.

Sometimes a dinner-party is given by the parents of the bride-elect
and the announcement is made by the host just before leaving the
table. Congratulations follow. Sometimes notes are written by the
young lady or her mother in announcement.

If the families of the contracting parties have been strangers
heretofore it is expected that the gentleman's family will make the
first call. Any friends that choose may give entertainments in honor
of the couple.

The lady does not make any ceremonious calls after this announcement
has been made, it being supposed that before this occurs she shall
have left cards upon all her friends. If no formal announcement is
made the bride-to-be must, before invitations are issued, leave cards
with her friends and acquaintances. In the city she need not enter to
make a personal call, in the country she will probably find it
necessary so to do.

Wedding Gifts.

There is much to be said for and against the custom of wedding
presents. And while the fact remains that they too often become the
vehicle for an expenditure so uncalled-for as to encroach upon
vulgarity in its excess, another fact still exists, that the simple
remembrances of friends are very grateful to the bride, who, perhaps,
is bound for a distant home where every loving token will recall a
well-known face.

Then remember your friends on their wedding day, wisely, and according
to their tastes and your own resources, for:

"Policy counselleth a gift,
Given wisely and in season,
And policy afterward approveth it,
For great is the power of gifts."

By those so desiring, the words, "No presents," or "No presents
received," may be engraved in the left hand corner of the card. This
is often a relief to many of the guests, and, at the same time does
not prevent the very intimate friends, as well as members of the
family, from sending quietly such gifts as they may choose, which, of
course, are not exhibited.

Where presents are to be given they are frequently sent some time in
advance, and the bride often takes much pleasure in arranging them for
exhibition in some upstairs room. Each article is accompanied by the
card of the giver; these are removed or not, as may be desired before
exhibition.

The bride acknowledges the reception of each gift by a graceful little
note