Surely this little bit of practical cottage economy is worth recording. C. W. B. * * * * * Queries. BIDDINGS IN WALES. There is a nursery song beginning-- "Harry Parry, when will you marry? When apples and pears are ripe. I'll come to your wedding, without any bidding, And," &c. &c. &c. Does this mean that I will come without an invitation, or without a marriage-present? It will be observed that Parry is a Welsh name, and that bidding is a Welsh custom, as is shown by MR. SPURRELL (Vol. iii., p. 114.). He has anticipated my intention of sending you a bidding-form, which has been lying upon my table for some weeks, but which I have not had time to transcribe; I now send it you, because it somewhat varies from MR. SPURRELL'S, and yet so much resembles it as to show that the same formula is preserved. Both show that the presents are considered as debts, transferable or assignable to other parties. Is this the case in all districts of Wales where the custom of bidding prevails? I think I have heard that in some places the gift is to be returned only when the actual donor "enters into the matrimonial state." It will be observed, too, in these forms, relations only transfer to relations. Is it considered that they may assign to persons not relations? Some of your Welsh correspondents may reply to these questions, which may elucidate all the varieties of practice in a custom which contributes much to the comfort of a young couple, and, in many instances, is an incentive to prudence, because they are aware that the debt is a debt of honour, not to be evaded without some loss of character. "December 26. 1806. "As we intend to enter the Matrimonial State on _Tuesday_ the 20th of _January_, 1807, we purpose to make a Bidding on the occasion the same day for the young man at his father's house, in the village of _Llansaint_, in the parish of _St. Ishmael_; and for the young {208} woman, at her own house, in the said village of _Llansaint_; at either of which places the favour of your good company on that day will be deemed a peculiar obligation; and whatever donation you may be pleased to confer on either of us then, will be gratefully received, and cheerfully repaid whenever required on a similar occasion, by Your humble servants, SETH REES, ANN JENKINS. "The young man's father and mother, and also the young woman's father and mother, and sister Amy, desire that all gifts of the above nature due to them, may be returned on the same day; and will be thankful for all favour shown the young couple." E. H. * * * * * Minor Queries. _Lord of Relton_ (Vol. iii., p. 56.)--Will your correspondent MONKBARNS favour me with the date of the paper from which he copied the paragraph quoted, and whether it was given as being then in use, or as of ancient date?