The lost art of language

This weekend, I became temporary possessor of a scrapbook of family history that my dad and his wife brought out when they came to visit. In among the photos and cards and clippings I found this fabulous wedding announcement from the Marlboro NH paper back in 1903, detailing my great-grandparents wedding. It is far superior to any the Boston Globe publishes these days, so I had to share it. (Spellings and grammar copied exactly from newspaper. Perhaps not what I would do today.)

"Page - McRoy.

A very inviting wedding occurred in Marlboro the 29th instant at the country home of Mr. Weston McRoy, known as "Point Comfort." It is beautifully situated among the maples, fronting the south, having an equisite outlook upon woody hills and evergreen vales, and just above the buildings is one of the finest and most extended landscapes anywhere to be enjoyed.

Here at mid-day were joined in holy matrimony Ray H. Page and Grace E. McRoy, both of Marlboro, by Dr. S. H. McCollister, using the ring service. Both bridegroom and bride, as they stood under the flowing arch with a bell of flowers over their heads, and the fairest of all, being the centre of attraction and causing all present to rejoice and be thankful for such a happy union of hands and hearts to make a blissful home. The attire of the bride was cream colored silk with silk lace trimmings. She held in her hand a large bauquet of bride's roses.

At the close of the ceremony there was a season of greeting the new husband and wife, and then all present sat down to a table of bountiful and most palatable refreshments, according all partakers a delightful experience, making all feel that such a dinner is not to be surpassed.

As the carriage was driven out to take the wedded twain to the station the wheels were richly adorned with shoes, the top with flags, with many other attachments to add grotesqueness to the polished vehicle as it drove to the door and especially as the honored pair ascended into it under showers of rice, good cheer, and well wishes.

They will be home after August first on Church Street."

How fantastic is that? Don't you feel like you were there? Why do we no longer name our homes? Can you imagine the reeming out a reporter would get today if they tried to include the word "grotesqueness" in a wedding annoucement? How much pressure does this put on you to make the big meal later this week "a dinner which is not to be surpassed"?

Take that, texting.