The Sun.
London, England, 1868-12-14 00:00:00

AMERICA.

The people of Massachusetts have had good reason for
returning to the Assembly an overwhelming majority in
favour of a prohibitory liquor law. A recent license law
has resulted in an increase of 600 in the number of public-
houses in Boston alone. In the State the number has gone
up in a similar proportion. Massachusetts has reconsidered
er prohibitory policy, and has reaffirmed it. The license
law will be repealed, and another prohibitory measure
passed.

(From the Anglo-American Times.)

PAras, Dec. 9.

The aristocracy of Europe seem determined to
carry off the American belles. Each week we find
in the columns of the Continental journals an-
nouncements to the following effect :—" Married
at --, Miss Mary Petrolefiniscrip, of New
York, to Baron or Count, or Duke, and sometimes
Prince So-and-So of Paris, Turin, Rome, Vienna,
Dresden," or some other equally popular resort of
Americans. Strangely enough the bridegroom is
never less than a Baron, the American belles being
evidently determined to assume rank among the
elite on this side of the ocean. It is also quite as
remarkable that in every instance where the
New and the Old World become thus united,
on the female side there must be money.
We have at times been startled by the most
brilliant announcements as to the immediate
union of some leading New York, Boston, Phila-
delphia, or Chicago heiress with some European
nobleman whose ancestors were among the followers
of the crazy monk who originated the crusades, or,
still more noble and blue blooded, a rejeton of those
wonderful Roman chiefs who, n.e., ruled in glory
and splendour. It too often happens, however, that
after we have thrilled over the glaring details of
the fetes to be given on the auspicious occasion—
after we have admired the jewels to be presented to
the bride—after we have crowded before the show
windows of Intrepot des Indes, and exclaimed over
the beauty of the Cachmere shawl ordered for the
fortunate future Princess or Countess, there comes
a gloomy pause between the promise and the ac-
complishment, and it finally leaks out that the
noble bridegroom elect has withdrawn his preten-
sions —in other words, that the marriage is not to
take place. In some instances it is because the
mercenary motives which actuated the nobleman
become so evident as to arouse the pride of the
young repub/icaine, and cause her to refuse an alli-
ance where 'tis her money and not herself which is
the inducement. In too many cases, however, the
refusal originates with the nobleman, who finds
that his future papa-in-law cannot settle upon the
beloved such a sum as he, the nobleman, may pay
his debts with, and still keep up his state. This
thing has happened so often that it might be sup-
posed the lesson would profit. I am sorry to say
this is not the case, and that at the present time
there are a number of such marriages on the tapis.
It must not be supposed that it is merely the Ame-
rican belles who .become ambitious on reaching
Europe. The heads of the families in too many
instances betray a still more ridiculous and anti-
republican desire to killer here. They make a grand
display of huge coats of arms, of ponderous crests,
which seem sadly out of place, painted upon the
panels of their coaches, or woven conspicuously
upon their damask and linen. Having, as is so
often the case, suddenly risen to affluence, with no
antecedents save those of honest labour or com-
merce, it seems absurd the ardour with which they
search for genealogies, and the determination with
which they cling to the possibility of a remote
parentage with some noble house. Of course Ido
not wish to carry out the impression that this is the
case with the majority of Americans who come
abroad, but simply, en passant, to speak out that
which has so often annoyed the more sensible of our
countrymen, who appreciate the ridiculous conduct
referred to. However, as it is the fashion now for
Americans to make the European tone, it must
be expected that among the numbers who cross the
ocean for that purpose some queer people will be
found. In Paris the Grand Hotel has become head-
quarters for Americans—too much so, permit me to
add, while in the grumbling mood. I see young
men there who, during their entire stay in the
capital, seem to be unaware that there is
'A
anything else to do nave play billiards