The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1883-11-11
WEDDINGS.
The Views of an Old Bachelor on
Modern Unions.

dppTOpTidIc III luc OpiuiOu Va oOAAO3
for one to handle whom society
now stigmatizes as an old bachelor.
But it is not my intention to say
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 l need not here di-
vulge; but I was fortunate enough
to be Invited to a wedding some
time ago, and contrary to my usual
custom, resolved to accept the in
vitatlon, and although l knew that
in the midst Of the giddy throng
which is accustomed to assemble on
such occasions, l would feel more
like a stranger, still felt that l
might derive some profit from
observation and sal soquent medita-
ton.
Not knowing how I should COL
duet myself in such a company, l
resolved to keep my eyes open and
notice what others did, and then fol-
low IS nearly as possible their eX-
ample, even though in doing so, l
should rot seem 10 be guided by
good sense. Still, knew that l
Should not thereby make myself in
any way conspicuous, and thus
throw myself into notifying con-
fusion. I had no sooner entert d
the home of the brides parents than
I was greatly surprised to notice
that every newly arrived gentleman
Immediately walked up to the brio e,
mumbied some unintelliglble
sounds and then proceeded 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 few Of
her most intimate friends, bat [
was soon undeceived, for l 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,
for such l may now justly call ii g.
I vas therefore obliged. according
TO my first determination. to so
through the mumbling and oscula-
tory processes. which l faEcy l did
with as good grace as possible for a
novice in the art.
This was all done IN the presence
Of as many Of the company as chose
to witness the proceedings, and
quite number seemed to be stand
ing around for no other purpose
than to criticise and ridicule
those that took part. if any op-
portunity presented. But why this
kissing in public? We have been
told by those who are supposed to
know from experience, that kissing
can be considered as little else than
form unless when done in secret.
But here it was INDUCED in before
the very eyes of her husband, and
that on the very day Of their mar
rage, and even by those who at any
other time would not have dared to
take such a liberty. Now, the rea-
son why 1 objected was, in the first
place, because it was not the result
of any spontaneous gu; burst Of feel
ing, hence, wholly unnatural and
artificial; and, secondly, because it
was done in the presence of toe
many spectators. thus robbing it of
it's secresy, which is necessary to
its sweetness, as the old song or say
ing is: "Stolen kisses sweetest are. ,
If this method of greeting is pee
fectly allowable on young 1ady's
wedding day, why may it not be
equally so on any other afterwards
But perhaps | am putting an IN
necessary question to myself, aIC
the next time L meet her [ may be
saluted with a kiss as on the day OF
the marriage. AS l have not since
made call on the married couple
and I understand society demands il
of me, l am still ignorant of the re-
lceptiOn that L shall meet with, un-
Hess it be as / have just described
as the rules of society are 80 little
consonant with reason, at leas
Iso far as my experience
Igoes. 1 may be wrong, and il
so. l hope L shall be advised O
| the fact, before l fall into any
4 ridiculous blunders. Whateye
la woman may do withou
lblushing and with per
fleet propriety in the presence O
her cOnjugal partner, l see no rea
lson why she should be ashamed o
the same when he is not present
$50 if l should be fortunate enough
mot to to find him at home when
make my formal call presume
shall be greeted with the usua
kiss, just as if be had been present
} but if not / shall most assaredl,
be disappointed, and shall wan
Ito know the reason why.
In the course of the e:ening
found myself again in the presene
Of the happy couple, and my atten
ton was soon attracted by the be
havior of one who was no doubt a
Ignorant of the rules of etiquette q
! myself, but who was accustomed t
be governed in bis actions by goo
judgment. AS he approached tn
bride, she inclined her head to on
side ready to receive the usua
salute. but he not making up hi