with a knife; it
should then be cut by the butler into small slices, and handed on
dessert plates to the guests.

* * * * *

=The Health of the Bride and Bridegroom= should then be proposed by the
most distinguished guest present, for which the bridegroom should return
thanks. He should then propose the health of the bridesmaids, for which
the best man should return thanks.

Occasionally the gentleman of highest rank present also proposes this
health in place of the bridegroom.

The health of the bride's father and mother should be proposed by the
bridegroom's father.

It is now the custom to confine proposing healths at wedding luncheons
within the narrowest limits. The health of the bride and bridegroom, and
that of the bridesmaids being, in general, the only healths proposed.

At standing-up luncheons and at wedding receptions, the health of the
bride and bridegroom only is proposed.

* * * * *

=The Bride should leave the Dining-room= immediately after the healths
have been drunk, to change her dress for departure.

The head bridesmaid should accompany her, if related to her, and the
guests should adjourn to the drawing-room to await the bride's
reappearance, which should not be long delayed, and the adieus should
then be made. Leave-takings should not be prolonged more than is
absolutely necessary.

The parents should follow the bride and bridegroom into the hall, and
adieus to them should there be made.

* * * * *

=The Old-fashioned Custom= of throwing satin slippers after the bride is
sometimes observed, foolish as it is. It is the best man's or the head
bridesmaid's privilege to perform this ridiculous act.

When rice is thrown after a bride it should be scattered by the married
and not by the unmarried ladies present; but the custom, like that
of throwing the so-called "confetti," is now practically obsolete in
good society.

* * * * *

=Strewing the Bride's Path with Flowers= from the church to the carriage
by village children is a custom much followed at weddings which take
place in the country.

* * * * *

=The Honeymoon= now seldom lasts longer than a week or ten days. Many
brides prefer spending their honeymoon in their future home, if it
happens to be in the country, instead of making a hurried trip to Paris
or elsewhere, or to