If there is a cat in the house the bride must never omitto feed it herself on that day, otherwise the creature may think itself neglected. and. out of spite. bring on the rain. Such were the quaint beliefs dear to the hearts of our ancestors !

Another prohibition was that she must, on no account. read the Marriage Service right through just before her wedding - that is to say, cither on the night before, or on the morning of the day.

When the important task of dressing the bride commenced in old days. her maids or attendant friend searched carefully through the wedding gown; if by chance a tiny spider were found in one of its folds, it was supposed to indicate that the bride would never lack for money.

The bride should out on the gloves with her back turned to the mirror

As to the actual colours to be worn, the following lines were supposed to foretell the fate of the maid who chooses any particular one:

Married in white, you have chosen all right. Married in green, ashamed to be seen. Married in blue, love ever true. Married in grey, you will go far away. Married in red, you will wash yourself dead. Married in pink, of you he'll aye think. Married in yellow, ashamed of your fellow. Married in black, you will wish yourself back. Undoubtedly, white and blue are the favourite choice but the actual symbolism of colours differs from the given lines in one or two instances.

Green symbolises hope, joy, and youth.

Red, courage, and deep love: and violet, dignity and faithfulness.

In early days, as, again, at the present time, white was considered the colour for a bride; but from the Middle Ages to the latter part of the seventeenth century, its supremacy was disputed by yellow. crimson, and pink.

Mary Stuart was married in white and blue, in accordance with an old custom which decreed that any girl bearing the name of Mary should wear blue - the colour sacred to the Virgin Mary.

An old superstition forbids a bride to allow the groom to see her in her wedding otherwise there will be no wedding. Neither must she look at herself in the glass after the completion of her toilette, but must put on her gloves after she has turned away from the mirror.

In order to ensure good luck she must take care to wear: ' Something old, something new,

Something borrowed, and something blue."

The first in order that she may still retain the love and affection that was hers in the old life; something new for success in her new life; something borrowed that friends may ever be helpful and faithful when needed; and something blue as the emblem of loyalty and constancy.

Any jewels except pearls may be worn; these should be avoided, as they symbolise tears.