mainly dependent upon him for their invitations. Report says
that, like a certain great statesman, Brown is not averse to receiving a
small present now and then as a reminder of the gratitude of the
recipients of his favors.

Brown is sixty years old, but time has dealt lightly with him, and he is
still hale and hearty. He knows all the gossip of New York for thirty
years back, but also knows how to hold his tongue. To see him in his
glory, one should wait until the breaking up of some great party. Then
he takes his stand on the steps of the mansion, and in the most pompous
manner calls the carriages of the guests. There is no chance for sleep
in the neighborhood when the great voice of the "great sexton" is roaring
down the avenue. He takes care that the whole neighborhood shall know
who have honored the entertainment with their presence.

He has a sharp tongue, too, this Brown, when he chooses to use it, and a
good story is told of this quality of his. He was once calling the
carriages at a brilliant party. Among the guests was Harry X---, a young
gentleman of fortune, concerning whose morals some hard things were said.
It was hinted that Mr. X--- was rather too fond of faro. The young
gentleman and the great sexton were not on good terms, and when Brown,
having summoned Mr. X---'s carriage, asked, as usual, "Where to, sir?" he
received the short and sharp reply, "To where he brought me from." "All
right, sir," said Brown, calmly, and turning to the driver he exclaimed
in a loud tone, "Drive Mr. X--- to John Chamberlain's faro-bank." A roar
of laughter greeted this sally, and Brown smiled serenely as his
discomfited enemy was driven away.

Fashionable weddings are very costly affairs. The outfits of the bride
and groom cost thousands of dollars, the extravagance of the man being
fully equal to that of his bride. A wedding is attended with numerous
entertainments, all of which are costly, and the expenses attendant upon
the affair itself are enormous. The outlay is not confined to the
parties immediately concerned, the friends of the happy pair must go to
great expense to give to the bride elegant and appropriate presents.
One, two, or three rooms, as may be required, are set apart at every
fashionable wedding, for the display of the presents. These are visited
and commented upon by the friends of the bride and groom, such being the
prescribed custom. The presents are frequently worth a handsome fortu