Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-02-16

tragedy attached to them; less
of nervous emotionalism and probably
less OF haste in selection.
There was much to be said against
the epidemic of war weddings but the
public remained quiet because the
world loves a lover and loves even
better fighter. and with the two
combined the rush OF supeyemotion
which filled America since April. 1917,
tolerated much that was done in the
name of love and war
Sumptuous weddings were taboo in
war. Marriages took place in the sim
pie meaning of the term TO large
majority of minds there is an acute
difference between marriage and a
wedding, and this difference has been
sharply impressed upon the public
mind during the last twenty months.
* X
In the dictionary of the majority
wedding means q social occasion
which is hung on the peg of a mar
riage service, a flower decked altar,
bridesmaids. splendid clothes, a tulle
veil. roomful of gifts, sometimes
music and always feast. BY common
consent each one of these features was
abandoned during the war, when two
people went forward to the altar to
plight their troth under conditions
that made the promises Of the mar
riage ceremony intensely tragic and
solemn. No matter how frivolous
girl she surely could not disregard
these words when they bound her to
in khaki who sailed his
transport the next day into debauch
of barbarism that has rarely been let
loose upon this planet.
These war brides are getting
glimpse OF what a wedding may be
through the new trOusseRux that are
ordered for the belated honeymoons,
and the peace bride is swinging into
the full regalia of a splendid wedding.
now that the trumpet has ceased to
call for the man to go and the whistles
blow to show that the man has come
home.
The world is again turned topsy
turvy, and all our conditions and emo
tons, our mannerisms and expendi-
lures turn an even somersault with II.
1t is thus that the world is kept from
losing its balance. When we all turn
together we do not feel abnormal
In the centuries that have gone be-
tacles. differing in degree between
royalty and peasantry, between the
landed millionaire and the salaried
worker. A revolt against the spec
tacular side of a wedding controlled
majority of people on this continent
for several years before the war. but
the present hour seems fit time for
sumptuousness; 1t is an expression OF
the riotous gayety in every heart
Peace brides have been quick to
catch this feeling in the air. and we'd
dings are planned for the early spring
that might almost be termed pageants
1t is youth getting its revenge Debu-
tantes have not been allowed to make
their bow to society for two years.
Youngsters have been thrust into the
furnace of war work here and on the
battletields, learning more or the
tragedy of the world in twelve months
than they might have learned In
lifetime during other epochs. Now
youth must have it's fling. for 1t is the
quickest to rebound from tragedy The
old and the middle aged feel that
youth has had a CHASTITY experience
during the last four years: that II has
been deprived of it's birthright; that it
has been fettered in the dungeons of
grief Now that 1t has been released
into the sunshine its debut into hap
piness must be attended by fanfare
of trumpets. 81 throwing OF garlands
and brilliancy that the old have
foresworn.
All this traditional impulse toward
gayetry will reach its highest peak in
the spring weddings. Since the day the
armistice was signed the mating OF
two young people has taken on bril-
liancy. Churches are thrown open TO
crowds OF guests. bridesmaids are
chosen as though one were INDUCING
in a new and riotous extravaganza. IL
is as though splendid weddings had
lain on the shelves for a century. so
brightly. and happily has the public
taken UP their revival All that was
once considered boredom is now con-
sidered an occasion for bubbling mer-
riment. 1t Is good for nation to be
compelled to forego all its luxuries. so
that they may be better enjoyed when
brought back into life.
u
The dmessmakers are eager to abet
this form of splendor In apparel, and
artists, and even interior decorators.
have been called In for consultation to
provide new and agreeable features
for the wedding service.
The old fashion of dancing: which
for many generations ruled the Gus
toms in America, where II was carried
from Europe, is again on the cards.
The bride remains for the festivities,
instead of creeping away after in
Vulnerable hand-shakings. She opens
the dance with the groom, and at
recent wedding, in which all the cos
tunes were copied from the eighteenth
century. the entire bridal party danced
the minuet before the guests as a bit
of pageantry. The bridesmaids wore
the gowns that ONCE fitted through
Versailles--gowns which now look