The Christening Ceremony takes place in the afternoon, usually at 2.30. The relatives on arrival at the church seat themselves in pews or on chairs near to the font. The godmother holds the infant during the first part of the service, and then places it on the left arm of the officiating clergyman. One of the godfathers should name the child in response to the clergyman's question. If the child is a girl, two godmothers and one godfather are necessary. If a boy, two godfathers and one godmother are required. These godparents are usually the intimate friends of the child's mother. In certain instances the relatives are chosen for the office of godfather and godmother, but oftener not for family reasons.
Christening Presents vary according to means and inclination, and often comprise gifts of jewellery when the infant is a girl, and money and silver plate if a boy; silver spoons, forks, mugs, bowls, etc. The selection is a wide one, and nothing comes amiss, from a robe with fine lace to a chain and pendant or a jewelled watch. These presents are usually sent the day previous to that of the christening.
Fees and Tips.—Only minor fees are given to those assisting at the ceremony. The officiating priest receives some little gift in old silver or china, but not of money; if, however, the parents of the child are wealthy a cheque is sometimes given with a request that he will devote it to the needs of his parish.
Tips to the nurse from the child's godparents vary from five shillings to a sovereign according to individual means.
INDEX
- Afternoon "at homes," [151]
- Afternoon dances, [157]
- Afternoon tea, [42]
- Afternoon weddings, [128]
- Amusements at children's parties, [192];
- at country-house parties, [215];
- at garden-parties, [169]
- "At home" days, [159];
- "at homes," [151], [238]
- Bachelors' Balls, [87]
- Balls, [87];
- patronesses of, [239]
- Best man, duties of, [131]
- Bowing, [206]
- Breakfasts, [183]
- Bridal wreath, [141]
- Bride, [131], [133], [140]
- Bridegroom's relatives, [133]
- Bridegroom's responsibilities, [130], [141], [146], [149]
- Bridesmaids, [132];
- presents to, [147]
- Bride's relatives, [132]
- Bridge parties, [125], [158];
- refreshments at, [126];
- teas, [158]
- Calls, paying, [32];
- after entertainments, [113]
- Canoe parties, [189]
- Cards, gentlemen's, [27];
- ladies, [19];
- memorial, [31];
- "P.P.C.," [26]
- Cards, leaving, [19];
- after entertainments, [24], [28];
- on new-comers, [25];
- returning, [23];
- routine of leaving, [21], [28];
- "to inquire," [26]
- Chaperons, [228]
- Charity Balls, [93]
- Christening luncheons and teas, [262];
- parties, [261];
- presents, [260], [263]
- Clergy, how to address, [59]
- Cockades, [209]
- Colonial etiquette, [161]
- County Balls, [93]
- Country dinner-parties, [114]
- Country-house visits, [211]
- Court, attending, [73];
- presentation at, [73]
- Court dress for gentlemen, [85];
- for ladies, [80]
- Cricket matches, [168]
- Dances, invitation, [256];
- public, [257]
- Débutantes, [228]
- Dîner à la Russe, [106]
- Dining out, [100]
- Dinner guests, [101]
- Dinner invitations, [99]
- Dinner-table decorations, [107];
- etiquette, [108], [116]
- Drawing-room, retiring to, [111]
- Drawing-rooms at Viceregal Court, Dublin, [229]
- Driving, [203]
- Engagements, [250];
- etiquette of, [251];
- presents, [147]
- Entrée at Court, [77]
- Etiquette, [1];
- at balls, [91];
- at dinner-table, [108], [116];
- colonial, [161];
- Indian, [164];
- in regard to royalty, [61];
- of visiting at bachelors' houses, [217];
- when travelling abroad, [65]
- Evening parties, [122];
- garden-parties, [174]
- Foreigners of rank, how to address, [57]
- Funerals, [248]
- Funeral wreaths, [249]
- Gamekeepers, tips to, [223]
- Game licence, [224]
- Garden-parties, [166];
- in the evening, [174];
- in town, [171]
- Giving presents, [259]
- Going in to luncheon, [180];
- to supper, [123], [126]
- Golden weddings, [255]
- Gratuities to servants, [97], [113], [156], [223], [260], [263]
- Honeymoon, [141]
- Hostesses, [234]
- Hunt Balls, [87], [95]
- Hunt breakfasts, [221]
- Hunting, [219]
- Indian etiquette, [164]
- Introductions, [6];
- correct formula for, [8];
- at afternoon calls, [17];
- at country-house parties, [11];
- at dinner-parties, [9];
- at evening parties, [123];
- at Public Balls, [12], [90]
- Invitations, [96], [122], [125], [152], [167], [177], [194]
- Juvenile parties, [190]
- Ladies in the hunting-field, [219]
- Levée dress, [85]
- Levées, [82];
- at Viceregal Court, Dublin, [232];
- presentations at, [84];
- who may attend, [83]
- Licences, marriage, [128]
- Luncheons, [176]
- Marriage by banns, [128];
- by licence, [128], [148];
- fees, [129], [148]
- Memorial cards, [249]
- Menus, [106], [139]
- Military Balls, [87], [95]
- Mourning, [242];
- Court, [242]
- "Not at home," [41]
- Officers, how to address, [59]
- Opening a ball, [90]
- Patronesses of Public Balls, [239]
- Pheasant shooting, [222]
- Picnics, [186]
- Plumes in Court dress, [81]
- Politeness, graces of, [4]
- Precedency amongst royalty, [44], [50];
- at ball suppers, [91];
- at dinner-parties, [49], [105];
- of ambassadors and diplomats, [45];
- of army and navy, [45];
- of baronets and knights, [45], [51];
- of bishops, [51];
- of clergy, [45], [48];
- of esquires, [48];
- of ladies, [52];
- of legal profession, [45], [48];
- of peers, [50];
- of widows, [46]
- Presentation at Court, [73];
- at foreign Courts, [65];
- at levées, [82];
- at Viceregal Court, Dublin, [229]
- Presents, christening, [260];
- giving, [259];
- wedding, [130], [141], [259]
- Public Balls, [87]
- Receiving guests, [101], [123], [154], [234]
- Refreshments for "at homes," [153];
- at bridge parties, [126];
- at children's parties, [194]
- Refusing invitations, [200]
- Responsibilities of patronesses, [239]
- Riding, [204]
- Royal guests present, [90], [123]
- Royalty, how to address, [53]
- Saying grace, [114]
- Sending in to dinner, [103]
- Shaking hands, [225]
- Shooting, [219]
- Signing the register, [134]
- Silver weddings, [253]
- State Balls, [97]
- State mourning, [97]
- Subscription dances, [256]
- Supper, going in to, [123]
- Surnames of peculiar pronunciation, [69]
- Tea for afternoon callers, [42]
- Titles, how to use in speaking, [53]
- Town garden-parties, [171]
- Trousseau, [141]
- Undesired introductions, [6]
- Walking, [202]
- Water parties, [188]
- Wedding cake, [137], [142];
- cards, [142];
- etiquette, [129];
- expenses, [146];
- favours, [134];
- fees, [129], [148];
- golden, [255];
- invitations, [129];
- luncheon, [137];
- of widow, [134];
- presents, [130], [141], [259];
- receptions, [136], [143];
- ring, [130];
- service, [131];
- silver, [253]
- Widow's wedding, [134]
- Writing invitations, [195]
THE END
FOOTNOTES: