upon the scruples of the
entertainers. Salads, lobster, salmon, etc., birds and dainty rolled
sandwiches, do duty for meats. Fancy cakes, such as maccaroons,
kisses, etc., are always offered, together with ices. The variety of
other cakes is always at the option of the hostess, save the
regulation rich black fruit, or groom's cake, and the bride's snowy
loaf. These are necessities, and if the bride so far conform to the
old custom of "cutting the cake" as to make one incision therein with
a wonderful silver knife, "ye ancient superstition" is satisfied, and
the work of cutting it and packing in dainty boxes to be carried home,
if this be wished, is deputed to attendants. These boxes are deposited
in some convenient place within reach of the departing guests.

When there are a number of elderly guests it is generally thought best
to set two or more small tables in the refreshment-room, or an
ante-room, where they may be comfortably accommodated with seats, and
one of the ushers should see that they are so seated and promptly
served.

Rehearsals.

In view of the complicated arrangements made necessary for the proper
carrying out of a fashionable church wedding, and in consideration of
the large number of people involved in the ceremony and the necessity
of each one being in the right place at the right moment, in order to
prevent confusion, it will be seen that some preparation is necessary
before all can act in concert.

The needed drill is usually given by an exact rehearsal of the entire
affair, to give which, the whole party meet at the church and
rehearse, so to speak, their respective parts; the forming into
procession, the parting right and left at the chancel and the
re-forming to return to the vestibule, being all gone through with to
the sound of music, until every part of the long procession moves like
clockwork.

The grouping of the bridemaids, the appointed duties of maid of honor
and "best man," even to the smallest details, are all made perfect,
until even the principal actors in the scene can retire without fear
of any disaster to come.

This rehearsal is frequently made the occasion of a rehearsal dinner,
given by the mother of the bride, at which the intimate participants
of the wedding-to-come entertain and refresh themselves.

The Wedding Breakfast.

Wedding breakfasts are an exclusively English fashion, but are
gradually creeping into favor here. The breakfast does not differ from
the