314 THE HOME, FARM AND BUSINESS CYCLOPEDIA. 



of the principal personages present, the toast of the bridesmaids being 

 generally one of the pleasantest features of the festal ceremony. After 

 about two hours, the principal bridesmaid leads the bride out of the room 

 as quietly as possible, so as not to disturb the party or attract attention. 

 Shortly after it may be in about ten minutes the absence of the bride 

 being noticed, the rest of the ladies retire. Then it is that the bridegroom 

 has a few melancholy moments to bid adieu to his bachelor friends, and he 

 then generally receives some hints on the subject in a short address from 

 one of them, to which he is of course expected to respond. He then with- 

 draws for a few moments, and returns after having made a slight addi- 

 tion to his toilet, in readiness for travelling. 



Departure for the Honeymoon, 



The young bride, divested of her bridal attire, and quietly costumed 

 for the journey, now bids farewell to her bridesmaids and lady friends. A 

 few tears spring to her gentle eyes as she takes a last look at the home 

 she is now leaving. The servants venture to crowd about her with their 

 humble but heartfelt congratulations ; finally, she falls weeping on her 

 mother's bosom. A short cough is heard, as of some one summoning up 

 resolution to hide emotion. It is her father. He dares not trust his voice ; 

 but holds out his hand, gives her an affectionate kiss, and then leads her, 

 half turning back, down the stairs and through the hall, to the door, 

 where he delivers her as a precious charge to her husband, who hands her 

 quickly into the carriage, springs in after her, waves his hand to the party 

 who appear crowding at the window, half smiles at the throng about the 

 door, then, amidst a shower of old slippers missiles of good-luck sent fly- 

 ing after the happy pair gives the word, and they are off, and started 

 on the long-hoped-for voyage ! 



