Show WEDDINGS The Views of an Old Bachelor on Modern Unions This subject may seem very inappropriate in-appropriate in the opinion of some for one to handle whom society now stigmatizes as an old bachelor But it is not my intention to say anything on the subject but from a disinterested standpoint and all will be willing to admit that my never having been a party to an affair of this kind will enable me to treat the subject with some degree of fairness I am not accustomed to mingle in society to any great degree for reasons which I need not here divulge di-vulge but I was fortunate enough to be iivited to a wedding sometime some-time ago and contrary to my usual custom I resolved to accept the invitation I in-vitation and although I knew that in the midst of the giddy throng which is accustomed to assemble such occasions I would feel more like a stranger still I felt that I might derive some piofit from observation and sal sequent meditation I medita-tion tionNot knowing how I should conduct con-duct myself in such a company I resolved to keep my eyes open and notice what others did and then follow fol-low as nearly as possible their example ex-ample even though in doing ao I should not seem to be guided by I good sense Still I knew that I I should not thereby make myself in any way conspicuous and thus I throw myself into mortifying confusion con-fusion I had no sooner entered the home of the bride parents than I was greatly surprised to notice that every newlyarrived gentlemen immediately walked up to the bride mumbled some unintelligible sounds and then proceeded immediately immedi-ately to kiss her afterward shaking hands with the groom and then disappearing in the crowd At first I thought this was the case only with relatives and perhaps a few of her most intimate friends but I was soon undeceived for I noticed that even those who were no better acquainted with her than myself and certainly mine was little more than mutual recognition on meeting went through the same formality I for such I may now justly call it L i was therefore obliged cording to my first determination to i QO through the mumbling and oscula tory processes which I fancy I did with as good grace as possible for a novice in the art This was all done in the presence 3f as many of the company as chose to witness the proceedings anc quite a number seemed to be standing stand-ing around for no other purp JSG than to criticise and ridicule those that took part if any opportunity op-portunity presented But why this kissing in public We have beer told by those who are supposed to know from experience that kissing can be considered as little else thai a form unless when done in secret But here it was indulged in before the very eyes of her husband and that on the very day of their marriage mar-riage and even by those who at any other time would not have dared tc take such a liberty Now the reason rea-son why I objected was in the firs place because it was not the resull of any spontaneous outburst of feeling feel-ing hence wholly unnatural and artificial and secondly because it was done in the presence of toe many spectators thus robbing it ol its secresy which is necessary tc its sweetness as the old song or saying say-ing is Stolen kisses sweetest are If this method of greeting is perfectly per-fectly allowable on a young lady I wedding day why may it not be I equally so on any other afterwards 1 r But perhaps 1 am putting an unnecessary un-necessary question to myself and the next time I meet her I may be saluted with a kiss as on the day of the marriage As I have not since made a call on the married couple and Iunderstand society it of me I am still ignorant of the reception re-ception that I shallmeet with unless un-less it be as I have just described as the rules of society are so little consonant with reason at least so far as my experience goes I may be wrong and if so 1 hope I shall be advised ol the fact before I fall into any ridiculous blunders Whatever a woman may do without blushing and with perfect per-fect propriety in the presence of her conjugal partner I see no reason rea-son why she should be ashamed of the same when he is not present So if I should be fortunate enough not to to find him at home when I make my formal call I presume J shall be greeted with the usual kiss just as if hE had been present but if not I shall most assuredly be disappointed and shall want to know the reason why In the course of the eening I found myself again in the presence of the happy couple and my attention atten-tion was soon attracted by the behavior be-havior of one who was no doubt as ignorant of the rules of etiquette as myself but who was accustomed tc be governed in bis actions by good judgment As he ppproached the bride she inclined her head to one side ready to receive the usual salute but he not making up his mind until too late was utterly confused while she exhibited her uneasiness in a a countenance crimsoned with blushes She no noubt thought he was too proud to condescend while he had discovered to his chagrin that his sense of propriety could not always be relied upon as an infallible in-fallible guide in the rules of so called good breeding but too late to make any reparation for the injury he had done I remember hearing some one saw sa-w ho had visited many of our prIn cipal eastern cities and had moved in the best circles that no such custom as that I allude to prevails there now the wonder with me is how it ever became established es-tablished here and how after having been established it ever became popular especially with the parties most interested But even if custom I cus-tom sanctions the practice elsewhere else-where that should be no reason why it should prevail here unle sit s-it is founded on a sense of propriety for which I have sought but thus far without any satisfactory result But as I am not inclined to beset in my opinions I should be pleased to known on what grounds this custom cus-tom may be defended though from my point of viewthat of single blessedness I would be loath to see it abolished The tyrant custom holds us in a firm grasp and will not let Ul escape es-cape unless we do so by force and then we do well if we can but remain re-main free not to speak of the scratches and rents that we suffer in tearing away It will not do to be too radical in our views nor at the same time too conservative but a little good sense employed in governing gov-erning our actions will enable us to conduct ourselves in such a way as to command the respect of those whose opinions we should have any regard for Custom may act as u restraint upon our actions but should never be allowed to take the place of an absolute despot V hen I was about t3 take my leave late in the evening or more properly early the next I morning I noticed that all walked up to the bride and saluted her in the usual manner an exampe I would not well omit following fol-lowing now that ihad commenced As I moved abouthither and thither early in the evening trying to appear ap-pear as pleasant and agreeable as pDSsible I chanced to enter a small room where I found a number of gentlemen alone The atmosphere here was perfumed with tobacco smoke whisky brandy beer wme etc mingled with cardamons cachous cloves and many ether odors I could not distinguish It took but little reflection on my part to learn from wbat sources all these were derived When last my lips were pressed to those of the bride it was easy for me to understand why I did so rather with reluctance than eagerness I felt thatit was altogether al-together too promiscuous to suit my fastidious taste and what she must have thought I will leave her to explain ex-plain Although I do not feel that I would be able to maintain my ground against the demands of society still 1 had almost resolved there and then that mv future bride should not be handled in any such manner as that but I fancy I hear some young lady with upturned nose and a sneer disfiguring her beautiful countenance counten-ance say You are in no danger however this may be shall not stop to argue the point JACQUES BONU0MUE |