ked to the ceremony,
but many to the reception afterward. As soon as the ceremony is over
congratulations are in order, the newly married couple standing under
the bell of flowers where they were married, and receiving the good
wishes of their friends.

If a man marries abroad there are many annoying bits of red tape to be
considered. In London you are obliged to have a legal residence in the
parish where the ceremony is to be performed. In Paris a civil marriage
before the mayor of the district is necessary. Certificates of baptism
must be filed with him, and you must give proof of the legal consent of
both your parents as well as those of the bride. The religious ceremony
takes place twenty-four hours after the civil. It is strict etiquette
that the contracting parties do not see each other during this interim.

The order of the wedding procession in France and on the Continent
differs vastly from that in England and America. There are neither
ushers nor a best man. If there are bridesmaids the groomsmen accompany
them. The bride enters on the arm of her father preceded by the
attendants, and the bridegroom follows, escorting his future
mother-in-law. A long procession of relatives brings up the rear. The
men, no matter at what time of the day the ceremony might take
place--and evening weddings are unknown--are in formal evening dress.

Under the French law also no widow or divorcee can remarry until ten
months have elapsed since the dissolution of the previous contract. This
should not be forgotten by bachelors contemplating matrimony with either
one of these classes of eligibles. In Germany there are further
complications, and I would advise all citizens of the United States
contemplating matrimony there to consult the consul or minister at the
legation.

CHAPTER XX.

FUNERALS.

When a death occurs in the house all matters should at once be placed in
charge of a relative or a friend of the family. The family itself should
be kept away from every one as much as possible, and none of the sad
details left to them. They should not be seen until the day of the
funeral. Front windows should be shut, blinds and shades pulled down,
and the outer or storm door of the house closed. A servant is stationed
in the hall near the door, as on reception days, to receive the cards of
persons calling. All acquaintances who have been entertained at the
house leave cards in person, others may mail them. Only intimate frie