Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-15

hard dry biscuits Of an earlier date. They
were made OF SPICE currantS, milk, sugar and
by the bridegroom but by most of the guests,
at an EliZabethan wedding. Some were thrown
over the brides head others put through her
ring and eaten for luck, or preserved to inspire
Of three small cakes into one large mass en-
riched with almond-paSte. iced and ornamental
is ascribed in the first instance to some of the
clever French cooks who came to England at
the time of the Restoration. The wedding cake
OF to-day Is the result of one form OF the deyel-
opment of civilization. 1t is the result of the
painful study and labor Of generations of CHEFS,
every one seeming to have made some improve
ment on the Efforts OF his predecessor. The
cake made on the occasion of the Duke Of Con-
naughts wedding few months ago was very
epitome of artistic skill. 1t five feet six in
ches in height, and shaped as temple-base.
columns, yaulted roof and characterization cast
In white sugar. The superstructure consisted
of two vaulted roofs, beautifully chased and
with Corint6ian capitals. At the four corners lr
stationed four female figures, as clearly cut as
If they had been chiselled, emblematic of the
four continents Europe, Asia, Africa and
ing swans or doves. Within the balustrade,
made up of dwarf pillars, joined by filagree
work OF fine lace, were the figures of Cupid
White sSn pane the Ensn az and sPga
arms were placed. The various pedestals bore
the interviewer monogram OF bride and bride
groom and the base was richly decorated with
scroll-baskets, from which were suspended fes-
ICONS OF orange blossoms.
In Sweden bride has her pockets filed with
bread. 1t is supposed that every piece she gives
to the poor on her way to church avertS some
misfortune. In Norway the bride herself hands
round strong drinks, that all the comp my may
drink long life to her; the wedding feast lasts
some days, and the guests have no wish to let
their moderation be known In Liburnta 1t is
the custom for the bride to retire from the table
before the end of dinner, and to throw over the
bridegroom's houseN hard cake made of
course flour; the higher she throws it, the hap
pier will she be- In CircaSs1a there are always
set upon the carpet in one OF the rooms in the
bridegrooms house vessel of wine and plate
of dough; and the first thing the bride does on
entering is to kick over the wine and scatter the
dough with her hands about the room. In some
parts of Russia the bride and bridegroom during
the banquet. which always takes place on the
evening of the wedding day, are separated by
curtain. The parents of the couple exchange
rings, and basket OF cheese and small loaveS are
blessed by the priest.
In the time of 'Good Queen Bess," weddings
OF the artstOcracy and great people were distin-
gulshed by banquetS, Mosques, pageants, &c.
Most of these forms of celebration have now
fallen into disuse. But there are some character
fsticS and features of weddings that have been
preserved, with certain variations, for many gen.
erations From time tmmemorial the practice of
presenting the bride with marriage gifts seems
to have prevailed. During the last century it
was usual to celebrate marriage with sports
and open house, to which all the inhabitants of
famous for these fetes. SO was France. The
custom OF throwing the slipper is both "ancient
and honorable" The slipper was a symbol of
authority in the East, and in token of submits
sion to her husband the bride received rap on
the head, administered with her husbands shoe
In Jewish times the delivering of a stone was
sign OF formal remuneration OF authority over a
woman. Formerly peculiar form of shoe-mar-
rage was celebrated at Hawortb, in Yorkshire,
the place in which the gentle "Currer Ben''
lived and died. In throwing this symbol of
good luck the left shoe should always be taken.
The Romans were very SuperStitiouS as to the
days and seasons when marriages should be
celebrated. The kalends, NOneS and Ides of
every month were strictly avoided. The most
fortunate time in the whole year for marrying
was that which followed the IdeS of June. The
sum and substance of all the popular belief that
governs the choosing of the appointed hour
In the present age is briefly contained In two
rules: ''Who marrfes between the sickle and the
sythe will never thrive" is one. The other the
lines:
Monday for wealth,
Tuesday for health,
Wednesday for the best day of all;
Thursday for crosses,
Friday for losses
Saturday no luck at all.
Scan the marriage notice columns OF the news
papers, and see how closely people follow the
curt advice of the StanZa-
The origin of the term honeymoon" is an
open question. But good authorities say that it
Is said to have been derived from the TeutOnc
custom of drinking a connection of honey for
thirty days, or moons age, after q wedding
feast. Attila, the Hun, is said to have celebrated
his nuptials in such glorious manner In the
death on the wedding-d ay.-[F-On Mr. Mar.
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