*

=Court Mourning= when enjoined is imperative, the orders respecting
which are minutely given from the Lord Chamberlain's office and
published in the official _Gazette_; but these orders only apply to
persons connected with the Court, or to persons attending Courts,
Levees, State Balls, State Concerts, etc.

When the order for general mourning is given on the death of any member
of the Royal Family, the order applies to all, although it is optional
whether the general public comply with it or not.

* * * * *

=The Longest Period for a Widow's Mourning= is two years. The shorter
period is eighteen months. Formerly crape was worn for one year and
nine months; for the first twelve months the dress was entirely covered
with crape. The newer fashion in widows' mourning is to wear crape as a
trimming only, and to discontinue its wear after six or eight months,
while some few widows do not wear it at all during their mourning, it
being optional wear.

* * * * *

=Half-Mourning= in the longer period commences after a year and nine
months, and is worn for three months. In the shorter period
half-mourning may commence after fifteen months, and be continued for
three months.

The period for wearing the widow's cap and veil is a year and a day. The
veil may be _crepe lisse_ or _chiffon_ in place of crape. It is now the
fashion for young widows to wear the cap as a head-dress only, while
others do not wear it at all.

Lawn cuffs and collars are worn during the first year, or for six months
only, or not at all. After the first year white neckbands and white
strings to the bonnet may be worn. Also hats in place of bonnets.
Further touches of white may follow during the next three months.

After a year gold ornaments may be worn; diamonds earlier.

* * * * *

=Widowers= should wear mourning for one year; they usually enter society
after three months.

* * * * *

=For a Parent= the period of mourning is twelve months; ten months
black, two months half-mourning, or eight months black and four months
half-mourning. The black may be relieved with touches of white after
three months. Crape is optional; many prefer not to wear it at all,
others as a trimming.

Diamonds--earrings, brooches, etc.--before gold, at the end of
three months.

* * * * *

=For a Son or Dau