The First Silver Wedding.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 11, 13 March 1902, Page 15

The First Silver Wedding.

According to an historian, this is the way the first silver wedding came about. It was in the time of Hugh Caput. Two of his most faithful servants, a man and a woman, had grown grey in his employ. How could he reward them ? Calling the woman, he said: 'Your service is great, greater than the man's, whose service is great enough, for the woman always finds work harder than a man, and, therefore, I will give you a reward. At your age I know of none better than a dowry and a husband. The dowry is here-thiß farm from this time forth belongs to you. If this man who worked with you five and twenty years is willing to marry you, then the husband is ready.' ' Your majesty,' said the old peasant, 'how is it possible that we should marry, having already Bilver hairs ? ' 'Then it shall be a silver wedding,' and the King gave the couple silver enough to keep them in plenty. Such waß the origin of the silver wedding, a custom which, spreading all through France, subsequently became known to the world.