348 THE HOME, FARM AND BUSINESS CYCLOPAEDIA. 



Reply. 

 MR. CHAIRMAN AND T.KNTLKMEN: 



Our worthy host intimated that he wished to spare my blushes. Now it is so long 

 since I blushed, that I forget the sensation, but I declare that I could find this no occa- 

 sion to blush, save for very pleasure, since to be thus introduced, and thus toasted is 

 indeed an occasion so pleasurable to me, that it shall ever remain impressed on the 

 tablets of both my memory and my heart. 



It is indeed a source of intense gratification to me to find that my little efforts, so 

 far as they have gone, are appreciated, and by gentlemen such as I see around this 

 board. True it is that I have done but little ; but, gentlemen, I assure you my object 

 is to do a great deal, and failing in that, I have but done my share. If, however, I am 

 to do my share in this evening's bout, I am extremely gratetul to our respected chair- 

 man, for giving me an opportunity of speaking so early in the evening, as later on 

 well, least said sooner mended. 



Wedding-day Anniversary. 



This is indeed an occasion where a speech is utterly unnecessary, for the fact of our 

 being here speaks so eloquently, that the words even of a Demosthenes or a Cicero 

 would fall flat, stale, and unprofitable. 



Ladies and gentlemen, just cast a glance at that happy man, our host, and that beau- 

 tiful lady, our hostess. See the " heavenly assenting smile" that speaks of the tend- 

 rest devotion, of a happiness those who wed whom they love, alone can know. The 

 sunshine of unalloyed felicity is a nimbus to their lives, and it is well that, as the clock 

 strikes another year upon their wedded bliss, we should be here to congratulate and 

 say, God bless them both. 



That their journey of life will be always as smooth as it is now, and that they may 

 -ever be protected from storm and strait, is the sentiment I would couple with the 

 health of our dear friends, Mr. and Mrs. , on this the anniversary of their wed- 

 ding. 



Reply. 



MY VERY DEAR FRIENDS : 



As a rule, no husband is perfectly safe in replying for his wife, since that much-to- 

 be respected party is usually so capable of replying for herself, and as on too frequent 

 occasions, her sentiments differ a little from his. On this occasion, however, I reply 

 for my dear wife, knowing that every word I say will be endorsed by her, and that 

 very beat of her heart is in accord with mine. 



This is indeed a very joyous anniversary. It recalls the delicious rapture of the 

 moment when I first could call my cherished partner by that sacred and endearing 

 term of wife. It recalls the moment when she placed her happiness in my hands ; and, 

 my dear friends, I ask of you if that smile which puckers round her mouth now, does 

 not do me infinite justice ? If 1 have not been disappointed in her, I trust in God she 

 has not been disappointed in me, and as years pass around, and, Darby and Joan like, 

 we descend the hill, may this anniversary ever prove a resting-place for happy retros- 

 pection. 



Crystal Wedding. 



In this age of transparency, when glass has arrived at such perfection, it behooves 

 us upon this, the anniversary of the crystal wedding of our dear friends, to " hold the 

 mirror up to nature," and let them view themselves in the glass we now place before 



