“THE BEST GIRL”

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 22, Issue 30, 21 April 1911, Page 2

“THE BEST GIRL”

,l A happy bridesmaid makes a happy bride,” says Tennyson, but there seems to be a prospect that in the near future there will be no bridesmaid's of any kind, either happy or unhappy. Ah enterprising young bride the other;week forswore maids in favour of what she called

a best girl, and possibly this example may be emulated by other brides in days to come. In Russia, of course, the “best man” attends on the bride ( , and he is chosen by the bride herself, his duties including holding her gloves in church when she uncovers her hand to exchange rings with her future husband, distributing money to the poor who say they will pray for her, collecting money for the musicians when the dancing is at an end, and so on. It is not at all likely, however, that the English bride will’ever look with favour upon a “best man” in personal attendance upon herself. The idea of a “best girl,” however, has much to commend it.

All bridegrooms are not possessed of illimitable wealth, and.the idea of having to bestow expensive gifts of jewellery on half-a-dozen fastidious maidens is almost* enough to deter the poor man from marrying the maiden of his choice.

Probably even the wealthy bridegroom will be glad to be relieved from the responsibility of purchasing presents for young ladies in whom he is possibly nob in the least interested. —The “Gentlewoman,”