MARRIAGE PRESENTS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2318, 8 September 1881, Page 3

MARRIAGE PRESENTS.

Civilization is full of advantages. None but unpractical aiathetoa would like to have been born when railways were not; when the old Eastindianman was the highest typo of naval architecture, and when the ultimate fate of every letter written was more than doubtful. But, on the other hand, there are inconveniences attached to the present state of culture. One of tho principal of these is the apparent necessity of ladies or j gentlemen, when they enter into the married state, of being heavily feed by friends for the operation. The Benedict or Bride are flooded with presents of varied value, accompanied by letters bearing on their future prospects. The different values of the presents are supposed to indicate the different shades in tho warmth of tho attachment of the donors and, in tho case of a bride, to bo found after marriage sin rounded by nuptial spoils of this description is thought to be the height of bliss. To this custom may he laid much of the intense interest exhibited in the progress of engagements. When a week’s salary of a hard working official may havo to ho converted incontinently into a wedding present for the benefit of a friend who is infinitely hotter off than the aforesaid official, it is no wonder that an absorbing interest attaches to the budding affections of any young couple. And the idea has, to a greater or less extent, permeated tho whole of society at large. A slight is conventionally supposed to he put on any lady or gentlemen, if their friends, not to mention their relations to tho most remote degree, do not exhibit tho warmth of their gashing feelings by acting like millionaires. This is one of the taxes of the present phase of civilization, and it takes a , brave man to attempt to stem the stream. But there exist people who, by their more 1 position, are almost above social rules. Princes may do things that commoners ! may not, and on them, in conse- j qnence, lies the burden of occa- ] aionally sotting a good example. Those 1 groaning under the burden of the ; “ marriage -present nuisance” will be glad j to hear that Prince William of Prussia, i who was recently married, refused over 3000 wedding presents, and, in fact, 1 published a notice that ho could not j accept any, even from his friends ! After . all said, there is some use in princes, i Long life to Prince William! He and 1 hia bride will pass to their graves unsurrouuded, it is true, by the nuptual spoils which ordinarily gild the marriage state, but none the less happy, wo feel confident, on that account.