Should a lasting memorial to one's generosity be the aim when buying a wedding present? Yes —if one day you hope to get a wedding present in return. What is the good in that case of giving glass or porcelain which may die prematurely at the hands of the Boy, or lingerie which wil wash out or wear out? Something constructed in metal or stone and preferably for use at mealtimes is more.sensible. It might even have initials inscribed on it—"From A. B. to C. D."
—then on the day when the invitation to your own wedding is opened there stands a silent witness to your claims. If, however, you are already married and can think of no reason why you should hope for reciprocity or if you are going to take good care never to be in a position to deserve a wedding present, imagination may range over a far wider field.
The danger in being too utilitarian is that there is such a vast number of people who possess common sense and who are likely to be affected by thought waves emanating from the most sensible of the lot. No other explanation presents itself of the curious unanimity with which wedding guests at times gravitate towards ink-pots, fish servers and tea strainers. Resentment may, nevertheless, be caused by too esoteric a gift—a cut-glass container for cayenne pepper which is extracted therefrom by a long-handled spoon with a minute bowl is an example in mind of a wedding gift which is fast becoming an heirloom without ever having done a hand's turn of work to justify its existence. It is simply just too pretty to throw away—but of such really are White Elephant stalls at bazaars.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.