Farmer Davis had a daughter. 
  And it happened that I knew,
  On each sunny morning, Jenny
  Up the hill went berrying too.

  Lonely work is picking berries,
  So I joined her on the hill: 
  “Jenny, dear,” said I, “your basket’s
  Quite too large for one to fill.”

  So we stayed—­we two—­to fill it,
  Jenny talking—­I was still.—­
  Leading where the hill was steepest,
  Picking berries up the hill.

  “This is up-hill work,” said Jenny;
  “So is life,” said I; “shall we
  Climb it each alone, or, Jenny,
  Will you come and climb with me?”

  Redder than the blushing berries
  Jenny’s cheek a moment grew,
  While without delay she answered,
  “I will come and climb with you.”

[Illustration:  A PERUVIAN BEAUTY.]

8.  A ROMANTIC WAY FOR PROPOSING.—­In Peru they have a romantic way of popping the question.  The suitor appears on the appointed evening, with a gaily dressed troubadour under the balcony of his beloved.  The singer steps before her flower-bedecked window, and sings her beauties in the name of her lover.  He compares her size to that of a pear tree, her lips to two blushing rose-buds, and her womanly form to that of a dove.  With assumed harshness the lady asks her lover:  Who are you, and what do you want?  He answers with ardent confidence:  “Thy love I do adore.  The stars live in the harmony of love, and why should not we, too, love each other?” Then the proud beauty gives herself away:  she takes her flower-wreath from her hair and throws it down to her lover, promising to be his forever.

[Illustration:  THE BRIDE.]

* * * * *

THE WEDDING.

1.  THE PROPER TIME.—­Much has been printed in various volumes regarding the time of the year, the influence of the seasons, etc., as determining the proper time to set for the wedding day.  Circumstances must govern these things.  To be sure, it is best to avoid extremes of heat and cold.  Very hot weather is debilitating, and below zero is uncomfortable.

2.  THE LADY SHOULD SELECT THE DAY.—­There is one element in the time that is of great importance, physically, especially to the lady.  It is the day of the month, and it is hoped that every lady who contemplates marriage is informed upon the great facts of ovulation.  By reading page 244 she will understand that it is to her advantage to select a wedding day about fifteen or eighteen days after the close of menstruation in the month chosen, since it is not best that the first child should be conceived during the excitement or irritation of first attempts at congress; besides modest brides naturally do not wish to become large with child before the season of congratulation and visiting on their return from the “wedding tour” is over.

Again, it is asserted by many of the best writers on this subject, that the mental condition of either parent at the time of intercourse will be stamped upon the embryo hence it is not only best, but wise, that the first-born should not be conceived until several months after marriage, when the husband and wife have nicely settled in their new home, and become calm in their experience of each other’s society.