INVITATIONS TO ANNIVERSARY WEDDINGS.

The invitations on these occasions may vary somewhat in their wordings, according to the fancy of the writer, but they are all similar. They should give the date of the marriage, also the anniversary. They may or may not give the name of the husband at the right-hand side and the maiden name of the wife at the left. What the anniversary is should also be stated.

The following form will serve as a model:

1852-1877.

The pleasure of your company is requested at the
Silver Wedding Reception

of

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ellsworth,

On Thursday evening, May 17th, at nine oclock.

R. S. V. P.

348, Monroe Street.

By varying the dates and inserting in the place of the word "silver," of "paper," "wooden," "tin," "crystal," "china," "golden," or "diamond," this form will be equally suitable for any of the other anniversary weddings.

MARRIAGE CEREMONY AT ANNIVERSARY WEDDINGS

It is quite common to have the marriage ceremony repeated at these anniversary weddings, more

especially at the silver or golden wedding. The earlier anniversaries are rather too trivial occasions upon which to introduce this ceremony, especially since the parties may not yet have had sufficient time to discover whether an application for divorce may not yet be deemed necessary by one or the other. But there is a certain impressiveness in seeing a husband and wife who have remained faithful to each other for a quarter or half a century publicly renewing their vows of fidelity and love, which then can only mean "till death us do part." The clergyman who officiates on this occasion will of course so change the exact words of the marriage ceremony as to make them perfectly appropriate to the occasion.

A

CHAPTER XXI.

FUNERALS.

LL manner of ostentation at funerals, should

be carefully avoided. Mourning is rejected by many persons of intelligence, who think it a temptation to extravagance, and who regard it, moreover as requiring too much thought and trouble when the mind is overwhelmed with real grief.

The hired mutes and heavy trappings of woe which are still in use in England are entirely abandoned in this country.

INVITATIONS TO A FUNERAL.

On the mournful occasion when death takes place, the most proper course is to announce the decease in the newspaper. An intimation that friends will kindly accept such notice appended to the announcement saves a large amount of painful correspondence.

Near relations, and those whose presence is desired at the funeral, should be communicated with by letter, upon mourning paper; the depth of the mourn

ing border depending on the age, or position, of the deceased.

Private invitations are usually printed in forms something like the following:

"You are respectfully invited to attend the funeral of John Jones on Friday, June 3, 18—, at 11 a. m,, from his late residence, 417 Washington street (or from Grace M. E. Church.) To proceed to Gracewood Cemetery.

These invitations should be delivered by a private messenger.

Whether other invitations are sent or not, notes must be sent to those who are desired to act as pallbearers.

CHARGE OF AFFAIRS AT A FUNERAL.

The arrangements for the funeral are usually left to the undertaker, who best knows how to proceed, and who will save the family of the deceased all the cares and annoyances at the time they are least fitted to meet them.

Such details as usually do not fall to the undertaker are entrusted to some relative or friend who is acquainted with business. This friend should have an interview with the family or some representative of it, and learn what their wishes may be and receive from them a limit of expenses.

EXPENSE OF FUNERAL.

As to this limit, let it be born in mind that it

should always be according to the means of the family; that nothing can excuse an extravagance and display at a funeral which must be indulged in at the expense of privation afterward, or perhaps, worse still, at that of the creditors. Pomp and display are at all times out of keeping with the solemn occasion and inconsistent with real grief

GENERAL RULES OF ETIQUETTE CONCERNING
HOUSES OF MOURNING.

No one should call upon a bereaved family while the dead remains in the house, and they are excusable if they refuse to see friends and relatives.

Upon a death occurring in a house, it is desirable that some outward sign should be given to keep away casual visitors. The usual means of doing this is by tying black crape upon the bell or doorknob, with a black ribbon if the person is married or advanced in years, with a white one if young and unmarried. The customs of different localities designate when this crape should be removed.

CONVEYANCES FOR A FUNERAL.

For those friends specially invited, carriages should be furnished to take them to the cemetery. A list of invited persons should be given to the undertaker, that he may know the order in which they are to be placed in the carriages.

EXHIBITING THE CORPSE.

If the guests are invited to go from the house to