Page:Manners and customs of ye Englyshe.djvu/142

MR. PIPS HIS DIARY. and Gimcracks, the cold Chickens trimmed with Ribbons, and the Bride-Cake, having upon it Wax Cupids and Turtle-Doves, was pretty. So down we ſat, ſtiff and ſheepiih, and  alſo, ſhamefaced, and trying to hide her Bluſhes with a Noſegay. Mother in Tears, and her Father ſolemn, and th% Bridefmaids moftly bafhful, but a little black one that fate by me very merry, and I did by-and-by pull Crackers with her, till my Wife ſuddenly thruſt a Pin into my Arm, to the Quick. The Company firſt ſilent, till a Friend of the young Pair, who did ſay he had known them both from Babies, did propoſe their Health in a pretty pathetic but confuſed Speech, and breaking down in the Midſt of a Sentence, conclude by wiſhing them long Life and Happineſs, with great Applauſe. Then the Bride-Groom to return Thanks, but, perplexed with his Pronouns, obliged to ſtop ſhort too, but, he ſaid, overcome by his Feelings. The Champagne flowing, we ſoon merrier, eſpecially an old Uncle of who began to make Jokes, which did trouble the Bride and Bride-Groom. But they preſently with much Crying and Kiſſing, and Shaking of Hands, away in a Coach-and-Four, amid the Cheering of the Crowd in the Street and the Boys ſhouting to behold the fine Equipage; and Servants and old Women looking on from the oppoſite Windows. We eating and drinking with great Delight till late in the Afternoon, but at laſt broke up, the Multitude ſaluting us each as we ſtepped into the Street, and the Policeman and Beadle that were guarding the Door in great State, touching their Hats. A grand Marriage Breakfaſt do give a brave Treat to the Mob, in Show, and to the Company in Eating and Drinking, and is great Fun to all but thoſe moſt concerned. But to think what a Fuſs is made about moſt Marriages, and how little Reaſon for it is ſhown by moſt People's married Life.