PERIODS OF MOURNING

For a wife, widowers wear mourning for one year to eighteen months; second mourning, if adopted, usually being at the expiration of a year. For a husband, widows wear mourning for two to three years, lightening at intervals of six months. Gra widows and widowers do not wear mourning for the departed. For parents, gentlemen wear mourning for six months to one year; women usually wear it for two years. For a brother or sister, gentlemen wear mourning for six months to one year; women usually one year. For a child, fathers wear mourning six months to one year; mothers usually a full year. For an infant, three months. For grandparents, few men wear mourning; but if they do, second mourning for three to six months is considered sufficient; women wear mourning six months to one year. For uncles, aunts or cousins, men seldom adopt mourning, unle second mourning for one to three months; women for three months. For grandchildren, it is considered unnece ary—or perhaps too admonitory. It will be noticed that women always grieve longer than men—at least by outward symbols.