Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-07-11

been made with regard to the abandonment of that
treaty He then observed, that if Texas was desi-
rous of annexing itself to the United States, The
French Government had nothing 10 sag against IL
but he admitted that it would be more agreeable to
that Government, and more consistent with its in
terests, u The annexation did mol take place. lie
added thatthe mercantile treaties into which France
has entered with Texas promised to be most advan-
ageous TO her. and that it is greatly to her political
interest that the three great powers of the Amer-
can continent Those of the United States, England,
and of Spanish origin) should maintain their pres
ent balance of power-that neither should gain the
Ipreponderance. Such is the view taken of this
momentous question by the French Government;
but, though that view is certainly of considerable
Importance, and will, no doubt excite much atten-
ton in the United States every one seems to be Of
the opinion that the annexation will take place. it.
indeed it be not already Accomplished and most
pubic men believe that the annexation will be very
advantageous both to the United States and Texas
1t is believed that the Cabinet of Washington will
feel some little surprise learning the opinion of
NJ Guizot; for 1t had not merely counted on the
strict neutrality of the French Government in the
annexation question, but had believed that it had
its most hearty sympathy.
The law, referred 10 in my last, providing for
the gradual abolition of slavery in the French col
onies, has passed both Chambers, and another law
for introducing European aborers into the colonies
is under consideration.
The report that The american Gouernnlent intends
10 reduce lis tariffs, has afforded the greatest salts
faction to the commerce Of Paris.
Most of your readers are aware that, in France
marriages, for the most part, take place more from
interest," or, to use the French expression, come.
nance than affection. NJ. So-and-so tells his friend
M. Such-a-one that he wants to marry his son, and
M. Such-a-one offers his daughter: the two old
gentlemen then talk over the fortunes they can
glve and, II they agree on that momentous point,
the young people are presented to each other, and
shortly after married. There are, of course, ex-
ceptons but that is the general way of proceeding.
A young French girl has no more idea of choosing
her own husband than she has of flying may there
is not one in five hundred thousand who ventures
TO hint that she would prefer another to the indi-
vidual chosen by her parents for her hand. Much
unhoppiness and great immortality are the results
of this system, but, upon the whole it works bet
ter than one would expect Another Objectionable
thing in the French system of marrying is that old
men of sixty and seventy often wed young girls of
sixteen and seventeen. Indeed, Frenchmen, for
the most part, don't dream of marrying until thew
have attained the age of between thirty five or for
ty. | have been led into these observations by an
advertisement in a newspaper, in which "youno
man, aged ~, six feet high, and remarkably hand
some," modestly expresses his desire to "espouse
any lady ut high rank maid or widow, possessing
good fortune" Advertisements for wives are
quite matter of course here, and many marriages
take place through them. Such, in fact is the bu-
slness-llke manner in which marriages are arrang-
ed, that there are several agency offices that occu-
py themselves with nothing else and these Offices,
from time to time, advertise erich widows" to mar
ry, with as much offhand GOODNESS as YOU would
announce horse to sell.