"By your most obedient servants,

"JOHN JONES.

"MARY EVANS."

The persons so invited (if they accept the invitation) generally form
part of the procession to church, and are preceded by a harper or
fiddler. After the nuptial knot is tied, they veer their course to
the public-house mentioned in the bills, where they partake, not of a
sumptuous banquet, but of the simple, though not the worst, fare of
bread and cheese and kisses, at the expense of the new married folks.
After this, a large plate is placed on the table in the room, and they
proceed to receive the money which each person may be disposed to
give, whilst one keeps account of the sum and names. They frequently
receive 50_l._, and sometimes, though seldom, 100_l._; and they have
the privilege (by paying the duty) of selling the ale to the persons
assembled. It is to be observed, that the money so deposited cannot be
reclaimed by the persons who gave it until a similar occasion presents
itself in their family. By this means the new married couple are
enabled to procure furniture, and other things requisite for them.

W.H.

* * * * *

CURIOUS FOUNDATION.

At Spinney, in Cambridgeshire, was an abbey founded in the reign of