romantic way of
popping the question. The suitor appears on the appointed evening, with a
gaily dressed troubadour, under the balcony of his beloved. The singer
steps before her flower-bedecked window, and sings her beauties in the name
of her lover. He compares her size to that of a pear-tree, her lips to two
blushing rose-buds, and her womanly form to that of a dove. With assumed
harshness the lady asks her lover: "Who are you, and what do you want?" He
answers with ardent confidence: "Thy love I do adore, The stars live in the
harmony of love, and why should not we, too, love each other?" Then the
proud beauty gives herself away: she takes her flower-wreath from her hair
and throws it down to her lover, promising to be his forever.

[Illustration: A PERUVIAN BEAUTY.]

* * * * *

{199}

The Wedding.

[Illustration: THE BRIDE.]

1. THE PROPER TIME.--Much has been printed in various volumes regarding the
time of the year, the influence of the seasons, etc., as determining the
proper time to set for the wedding day. Circumstances must govern these
things. To be sure, it is best to avoid extremes of heat and cold. Very hot
weather is debilitating, and below zero is uncomfortable.

2. THE LADY SHOULD SELECT THE DAY.--There is one element in the time that
is of great importance, physically, especially to the lady. It is the day
of the month, and it is hoped that every lady who contemplates marriage is
informed upon the great facts of ovulation. By reading page {200} 245 she
will understand that it is to her advantage to select a wedding day about
fifteen or eighteen days after the close of menstruation in the month
chosen, since it is not best that the first child should be conceived
during the excitement or irritation of first attempts at congress; besides
modest brides naturally do not wish to become large with child before the
season of congratulation and visiting on their return from the "wedding
tour" is over.

Again, it is asserted by many of the best writers on this subject, that the
mental condition of either parent at the time of intercourse will be
stamped upon the embryo; hence it is not only best, but wise, that the
first-born should not be conceived until several months after marriage,
when the husband and wife have nicely settled in their new home, and become
calm in their experience of each other's society.

3. THE "BRIDAL TOUR" is considered by many newly-married c