Message from
Chris Birch to Eulene Moores, February 2002
Dear Eulene: I
have been reading my grandfather's[1]
diaries, and I have just come to Tuesday 28 October 1884:
Lilly's wedding day. I rose at 6.15. Prayer and then
to books. Lilly awoke with a headache. I read part Ps 35. I led prayers,
praying especially for Walter & L. Also for Bessie who is very bad; in bed
for a week. Mr Moores Snr & Miss M arrived by early train. Mr M, Rose,
Mother & I went in the 1st carg[2]
to Elm Grove[3] at 11
punctual. Finding Walter had not arvd[4]
I started for him & before we could get back the other carg containg[5]
Miss M, the bride & Father arrived. So W & I were last. Mr Williams conducted
the service in his excellent businesslike & gracious way. It was very
short. Nothing was said about giving the bride away. I do not know if Mr W
regards the custom as obsolete. Rose & I witnessed with our signature. I
was the 1st to kiss Mrs Moores. Mr Luce was present & gave us a serenade on
the organ winding up with the Wedding March.
A goodly number were present, mostly ladies, & as
we passed out a goodly quota of rice fell to our share. On reaching home I put
a grape into the lips of the bride - being the 1st food Walter's wife ever
tasted. After a very pleasant time at the breakfast table, I for the 3rd time
in life officiated as speech master & led off with a short speech &
called upon Walter who made an admirable speech, sensible & practical, then
Father spoke, then Mr Moores Snr & lastly Grandfather. Then we closed with
the Doxology. Before the bkfst[6]
we sang My God the Spring, being the 1st hymn in their married life. Fred who
had been in business all the time then came round and I took his place.
The happy couple left at 2.15 for Cowes, the day was
rather stormy for sea travelling. Mr M Snr returned this eveng & Miss
Moores is staying till tomoro."