WEDDING AND OTHER ANNIVERSARIES


Another wide field for the oratory of entertainment is to be found in the
various celebrations that mark the passage of specific or notable portions
of time--centennial, semi-centennial, and quadrennial; likewise weddings,
annual, tin, paper, crystal, silver, and golden. The speeches for these
differ widely in character. They may take the form of congratulatory
addresses, of toasts and responses, or more formal addresses. All
dedications come in the same category. Generally the shorter intervals call
for light and humorous speeches, while the longer ones demand something
more grave and thoughtful.

The following speech and response for a wooden (fifth) wedding anniversary
is taken from a volume of ready made speeches. It is a fine example of
that wit and play upon words which is never more suitable or more highly
appreciated than on such an occasion.


SPEECH FOR A WOODEN WEDDING

If it is a good maxim not to halloo till you are out of the woods, our kind
host and hostess must be very quiet this evening, for it seems to me that
they are in the thick of it. If their friends had been about to burn them
alive instead of to wish them joy on their fifth wedding-day, they could
scarcely have brought a greater quantity of combustible material to the
sacrifice. What shall we say to them on this ligneous occasion? Of course,
we must congratulate them on their willingness to renew their matrimonial
vows after five years of double-blessedness. In this age of divorce it is
something worthy of note, that a pair who have been one and inseparable for