the sugar is put in, beat it half an hour
longer, and then lay on your almond icing, spreading it even with a
knife. If put on as soon as the cake comes out of the oven, it will
harden by the time the cake is cold.

1957. Marriages of Dissenters.

Marriages of Dissenters may be solemnized at any place of worship duly
licensed, and in accordance with the forms of their worship. In some
cases, the service of the Church of England is read, with slight
additions or modifications. The clerk of the place of worship should
be applied to for information.

1958. Christenings.

Christenings may be performed either in accordance with the rites of
the Established Church, or of dissenting congregations; the time of
birth, and the name of every child, must also be registered. The fees
paid for christening vary with a variety of circumstances. Particulars
should in each case be obtained of the clerk of the place of worship.
It is usual to make a christening the occasion of festivity; but not
in such a manner as to require special remark. The parents and
god-parents of the child appear at church at the appointed hour. The
child is carried by the nurse. The dress of the parties attending a
christening should be what may be termed demi-costume, or
half-costume; but the infant should be robed in the choicest manner
that the circumstances will allow. It is usual for the sponsors to
present the child with a gift to be preserved for its future years.
Silver spoons, a silver knife and fork, a clasp-bible, a silver cup,
and other such articles, are usually chosen. It is usual, also, to
give a trifling present to the nurse.

1959. Registration of Births.

The law of registration requires the parents, or occupiers of houses
in which the births happen, to register such birth at the registrar's
office within _six weeks_ after the date thereof. For registration,
within the time specified, _no charge is made_. But after the
expiration of the forty-second day from the birth, a fee of _seven
shillings and sixpence_ must be paid. After the expiration of six
months from the date of the birth, no registration is allowed. It is
therefore most important, as soon as possible after the birth of a
child, for the father or mother, or in default of either, the occupier
of the house in which to his knowledge the child is born, or any one
who may have been present at the birth, t