Rocky Ford enterprise., 1893-12-14
MlLLioNs IN MARRIAGE.
Cupid.s Franks Considered From Novel
Financial stand Point.

Last year there were. according to
the returns of the registrar-general.
226. 922 marriages in England and
Wales. The returns from Scotland
and Ireland bring it up to total of
moro than 275,000 for the United
Kingdom.
Just consider the amount OF money
that must be spent in connection with
275. 900 marriages, and the conclu-
sions that follow haue suggested q new
train of thought to Tid-Bit contri-
butor. 1t means. in the first place,
US many courtships. What is tho
usual length of courtship? That
depends. like many other things.
But seeking happy medium. wo
may fairly take eighteen months as
an average.
Say one half OF our sweethearting
couples are SO situated that letter
writing becomes necessity. Say
they correspond with each other
only once fortnight "a circulation
which must be far below the mark /;
put them on the moderate allowance
of no more than two sheets OF noto-
paper, and we shall see the dainty
collection OF sweet nothings amount
ing in the mass to u postal revenue
of $295, 900 and u yearly stationer's
bill OF 100000.
But these arc very small items to
think about. The jeweler will como
in for heavier share OF the profits.
There will be 275,OJ0 wedding rings
at a guinea apiece, and engagement
rings which shall be we'll within the
line in assessing at the same price.
Then there are the presents which
the lover will naturally bestow upon
the lady OF his choice. ranging from
the e-thousand-dolla bracelet of
tho duke to the shilling brooch of
the coster. If we put them down
with the rings at guinea in each
case and credit them to the jeweler
again we shall have an account OF
nearly f1.O0o.O)0.
Then come the railway companies
They must surely reap golden
harvest out Of the courting. With
the inevitable. trips and travelling OF
separated sweethearts to sec ono
another, we NAV safely strike an
average of $15 for each courtship.
which will give us a round sum Of
$75O.OOh
But all these arc only prelimi-
naries. The greatest expenditure
will como with the wedding day.
There is the trousseau, more or less
costly. according to circumstances.
for the bride, and at least new
suit for the bridegroom. 1t can be
done cheaply enough, goodness
knows, when bridal dresses can be
bought second hand and top hats are
obtained ION the hire system" But
most folks like to ..de" wedding to
the best OF their ability, and In the
upper and middle classes. at any
rate, tho tailor's share of the profits
is large one. Taking only the
moderate sum OF $25 in each case
will give US a total OF nearly So
600. 900.
Then there are wedding cakes and
marriage breakfasts. Reckon tn csc
expenses OF social entertainment at
only $40 a head, and we get another
$500, OOo; 275,OoO wedding fees.
licenses and clergyman's charges will
amount to above S50o,0)o, and q.
many half crowns to pew opener:
will foot up to S15O,0)o, whtle the
livery stableman's bill. allowing onl,
ono carriage to every wedding. vii
make $500, O,000 more.
Finishing up the honeymoon we
shall find another tolerable sum tt
be added to the costs OF matrimony
Here there will surely be diversity
enough; every stage between the
favorites OF fortune who may fiji
luxuriantly through Europe for g
year and the daily laborer who's,
idea OF bliss is limited to day off
II we accept &25 as reasonable
average of SO many honeymoons. We
have final sum OF $1,250,o00 t,
carry on our account.
Thus. without speaking Of furni
ture and other preparations for mar
ried life and combining our calcula
tions to the expenses Of courtshil
and the honeymoon. we shall he with
in the mark in saying that the annu
al marriage census of the Unitet
Kingdom represents total oxpendi
ture OF S35, 100000 consideration
which would certainly indicate tina
marriage is by no means bad thin.
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