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them. The lady smiles, as well she may, for Time's glass has not shaken out a single 

 sand, and the fifteen years that have passed since she made our host the happiest of 

 men, have left scarce a trace upon her pellucid brow. 



The crystals which we present our dear friends upon this auspicious and delightful 

 occasion, are but a type of the transparency and brightness of their lives. May they 

 never look on life " as through a glass darkly." May the goblets which stand upon the 

 festive board ever brim with the nectar distilled from love and harmony, and may 

 these glass pitchers, and bowls, and decanters serve as crucibles through which their 

 silver and golden anniversaries may yet be passed, and in this joyous and sympathetic 

 company. 



Reply. 

 DEAR FRIENDS : 



True it is that we have been married fifteen long years, yet it seems to me that 



is just as young, just as fresh, just as lovely as when, on this day fifteen years ago, I 

 took her for better or for worse. Yet, dear friends, I like this celebration. Jt reminds 

 us that we have reached one of the great resting-places on the line, and that, whilst we 

 back with intense pleasure upon our journey, we also anticipate a great deal more 

 farther on the road. It is indeed a source of intense gratification to us to find that, 

 .tfter fifteen years, so many friends came to visit us as we rest by the wayside, bring- 

 ^ifts and bidding us to be of good eheer. These anniversaries are a sacred insti- 

 tution, and as you were good enough to express a hope that these beautiful goblets- 

 might prove crucibles, let me now engage each and every one of you, not only to our 

 silver and gold, but to our diamond weddings. I now drink your healths, thank in<_ r 



you for my fifteen-year partner from the bottom of my heart. 







Silver Wedding. 



D (IKNTLKMKN : 



On a certain day, just twenty-five years ago, a certain lady and gentleman entered 

 for the race of life, and they have, I am delighted to declare, won the plate. Behold 

 it ! [Points to gifts.] They have, to continue the parlance of the turf, run neck and 

 neck, and come in to this the winning-post in the easiest of possible canters. Ladies 

 and gentlemen, let us drink to the winners, and let us earnestly hope that they may 

 be matched for the gold plate, and that we may be present when the " little event " 

 comes <>fi. 



Ladies and gentlemen, need we say how deeply we congratulate our dear friends ? 

 Is not this occasion a lesson to maids and bachelors ? Never were there words more 

 applicable, " Go and do likewise." I shall conclude, for I see that you are all eager to 

 do honour to my toast, by quoting Sheridan : 



" Ah, sure a ]:iir WN never seen 

 So justly formed to im-et 1>\ in 1 



1 bless them ! 



Golden Wedding. 



This is indeed a grand occasion, and one which, while it brings joy ami thankfulness 

 >r hearts, bears with it one of the most beautiful and touching lessons in the book 



respected and venerable friends have indeed reached the golden age of maturity. 

 ii.iii-1 h.ivo they ascended the hill, hand in hand are they descending into the 



