Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-10-05
5liarRllanROll5.
From Life illustrated.
RUS SIAN MARRIAGES.

The following occurrences are re-
lated with view to illustrate both
the subject, and the character OF the
Russian people in connection with
IT.
Matrimonial alliances between
persons of different ranks in life are
OF very rare occurrence the Rus
sians set Their faces agalnst them,
and the government dIscOulages the
practice. No noble can marry a wo-
man of ignoble birth without the
consent or permission OF the Emper-
or, which is not seldom withheld. -
However, Daniel O'Conneli noce OBJ
served, there was no act of ParIla-
ment through which he could not
push his elbow, SO there is no law,
whether 10 Russia or IN any other
country, that cannot be eyaded, as
the following occurrence, which is
strictly true, will demonstrate
A Dobleman OF high rank became
enamored OF young female. beau
ilul, well educated, of unexception-
ablc conduct, but-lhe daughter of
shupkeeper. lie knew perfectly
well that tho Emperor would never
grant him his permIs' ion TO marry the
girl. Now there lived at 81. Peters
burg a count far advanced IN years,
and nearly decfeplt with age ; he
was, moreover, impoverished by play,
10 which he had been addicted all
his life, and IN which he slIll Indulg
ed as much as his very limited means
would allow. To tins gentleman the
nobleman applied, and made him the
following proposal;
wish you, SAID he, ito marry a
lady with dowry OF ten thousand
silver roubles. of which you shall
have the absolute disposal
The old gambler snapped at the
proposal, OF course.
Yes said the nobleman, but
there are certain conditions 10 which
GU must submit
'Any aud every replied the
count.
Very well, now understand nc
well. The moment you are married,
you part with your wife 10 me, "a
galnsl payment 10 you IN hard cash
OF one half OF the amount, and you
will consent 10 be divorced from heI
as soon as possible on payment OF
the other half.
Agreed sald the old gambler.
The parties were secretly married
the FIRST hall OF the sum agreed up
OH was paid down TO The count, and
the lover, who had acted as brides
man, had carriage IN waiting, car
RED away the BRIDE from the church,
and brought her back IN safety To heI
fathers house. A divorce was soon
obtained, al an extra ecunlary sa'
criice, and the second half was paid
TO the count. The Dobleman now
applied TO the Emperor Tor pernls-
sion TO marry the Countess -
Tor such she now was. Tins wa,
g,anied, aud the nuplIals were cele-
brated with becoming pomp. Bu
though man nay sometimes elevate
by marriage woman OF low degree
TO his own rank, no uobly-born lad,
would degrade herself by mis- al
lance. She nigh, allow the pride
of caste to give way To love, TO pas
sion, but never 10 marriage, as The
following occurrence will show
which, though well altestcd fact
might, IRON It's dramatic character
seem the invention OF a novelist.
There resided at 81. Petersburg
, on old general, descended from ont
OF the oldest noble families ia III,
empire. He was as wealthy as noble
a widowcr; and had but one child, ,
daughter, the sole heress TO his vas
!, possessions. Olga was beauiliu
q aud accomplished, OF a sangulno ten
!. permanent, intelligent, Of a characic
almost masculine for finnness, Blu
Z unhappily her master passion wa
pride. Many sul,or presented him
sell, in many respects her equal, bu
she rejected every offer, assigning a
!. her ouly reason, his want Of hls
birth. Her father, though desirou
I; Of seeing her married, was not alto
gether d'spleased al her repeated re-
iusals, aud such for the iollow,n
reason:
, There lived in his family youn
!. man, likewise of good descent, an
Instantly related 10 him. The oil