Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-10-23
InncerninC Wedding Prtsents

From the PhiIadephi Record.
Much has been said recently, and rightly
too, with reference to extravaganza in funer.
ais. The unwarranted display in the trap
pings of woe and the stereOtyped exhibition
of either sorrow or friendship OF floral trib-
utes have often aroused criticism and LED 10
the inquiry whether Wasteiul and meaning
less eN penditurss does not often detract from
the spiemni'y of the occasion aud i'm power.
ish the living while not honoring the dead.
IG this criticism can justly be applied TO
funerals II can with equal Justice bo applied
to marriages, those other events which are
ingraited into our social economy. The poet
tells Us that
Leaves have thc'r time to fall,
And flowers to wilEer al The north wind.
And stars to set but all,
Thou hast all seasons FOR thine own. O, Death
and, like that of death, the marrying season
Is at all tunes, although there is popular
belief that the rule OF Hymen generally
covers the coming and the going Of the
months. With certain classes summer tlirts-
lions are largely responsible for liking the
marriage season. The words that were
lightly spoken at Cape May, at Newport or
At Bar HrbUr beneath the witching iuflu-
ence Of waves or Of moonlight. find their
truition in that ofner more serious sen
'UHCs which ends with to glove, honor
and obey - and what was born ia
comedy may hud its elimination In
the severe-t kind of tragedy. There are,
y
appear to0s peculiarly sacred to marriages, one
ut Ihem being close upon us, and, therefore,
Il may also pe said that the season OF presents
has begun. For independent of the interest
which always seems 10 attach to two people
joining themselves TO each other Tor
better or for worse, there appears t. be
An Unwrittuu law TO the eiisct that their
friends or relatives shall express their
regard or approval in some substantial way.
With the growth OF civilization has como
n u ~
nave re>pOndingIy more presents, those
mantle -ituOu> of regard or affection do not
nave tue significance which at one time Ue
lou-e to them. When a marriage takes
place something is expected of ouisiders.
rho bridal presents are not mex perslve gltJs :
They are generally displayed, aud their list
puull. bel IN the newspapers, and although
We may sometimes hear Of some one who
prOtt ssod tO object to this publicity, whether
ne Dr she bs donor or recipient, we often
nut that this very person invited An invd-
sion I me privacy OF the domestic circle.
o. course, II - not to be supposed that all
who give on such occasions are sctUated
by desire Tor nOtOriety. Sometimes III the
wilderness OF gifts there Is one, EOmcly
euous h 1t may De, which shines ~ like rich
Iawei IA al EthiOP's ear" the work OF loving
haudS the outgTnWth Ui the prumptiugs Ct
tender heart But in TOO many cases these
outward displays simply resolve themselves
into an advertisement or a competition.
Besides this, taste does not differ so very
materially, aud what is a bride to do with all
tha butter. knives ami silver teaspoon,
and dressiug-c4-es and Vases and clocks
which are heaped upon her The
marriage table g-iay is simply as Il
loaded counter in II bazaar. Young Mrs.
Daisy rejoIres in the thought that she has
had one bundled and ttty one presents,
whilst her social rival, Mrs Fern, has only
received one hundred and thirteen. The
number touches her pride, and she never
OestOEs a thought upon the sentiment which
Inspired the gut; the donor Is forgotten in
the temporary social triumph. The stereo.
'yped Gates 4 jar" which IS laid upon the
grave, aud the French clock, the carvings on
when are mingled with orange blossoms,
are as rule el IaIly devoid OF meaning and
,guItIcaucei and the wedding present, in
-teai ot ueiug an expression OF friendship
aud affection, becomes social tax which
daily proves itself more senseless and more
buTueG-Ouc.