Changes in the nuptial ceremony in Ireland—Description of the
_ancient_ formula—Throwing the stocking—A lucky hit—Reverse of
the picture—Modern marriages—Coming of age—Nuptials of the
author’s eldest brother—Personal description of the bride and
bridegroom—Various preparations—Dresses of the different members
of the wedding-party—The coach of ceremony—The travelling
chaise—A turnpike dispute—Convenient temporary metamorphosis of
the author and two of his brothers—Circumstances preceding the
marriage in question—A desperate lover—Disasters and blunders—A
“scene”—Major Tennyson Edwards—Marries a sister of the author—His
fortunate escape from a ludicrous catastrophe 337