Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-01-14
HOW THEY MARRY IN GERMANY

HOW THEY MARRY IN GERMANY
For all information about weddings-about
marrying and being given in marriage-com
mend me to a lady Participating in the
wedding ceremony equally, man somehow
has not so nice Discrimination delicate
tact-so quick an eye to detail in all that
relates to marriage as is possessed by mem.
bers OF the gentler sex. Il like that adiec.
tive better than softer, as being less ambig,
uous.) Ladies' fancy, are endowed with a
special talent for the study of marriage ALI
ances, de8cents and pedigrees-such matters
IN short, pedantic individuals might call
" the preliminaries, concomitants, conse-
quents, and various relations of connubial
life"
Did you ever remark Gf not, pray dot is
worth while) the difference of style between
mans and a woman's study of history? A
man will seize the broad philosophical traits
OF a periOd-will draw together in magma
ton contemporary rulers, comparing their DO
htical deeds, and endeavoring thus to convey
to his mind right impression of the infiu-
ence exercised by each III molding the char
acterisrics of an age. Thus: given, the reign
OF Henry VIII; vivid picture will be pre-
sented to the male mind, imp5in2jS, of the
Reformation and its consequences; of Venice
waning i'll national Importance because of the
discovery of America; of Turks clbowing
their way into Europe, and of unfortunate
Saracens fast being elbowcd out of it; last,
of contemporary monarchs and their doings.
To the female mind another set of memo
ries would present themselves more vividIy.
To ladies, our British Bluebeard's unhappy
wives would be the center of attraction; and
| suspect that some peculiarly of look or flo
ure-sOmethlng distinctive, whether of trait
or gesture, about each one of Bluebeard's
better halves-would be impressed on the
memories of most female students of IL,
portion Of British history. For my own part.
| remember, on this interesting topic, that
Anne Boieyn was petite. that she had six
fingers on one hand, if not on each, (of which
| am not sure; } moreover, that she was
somewhat pretty, in despite of uneven teeth.
l have distinct memory tOo that Anne of
Cleves-peacock-li ke-had not the prettiest
of feet; and that Catherine of Arragon in
troduccd the fashion of wearing whalebone
in stays. Beyond these slight, unsatisfactory,
and meagre details, my memory has nothing
more authentic to fall back upon in this de-
partmcnt than the wax-wOrk models of Mad
anne Toussaud.
These being my sentiments, the above my
testimony, 1t is no marvel that when the de-
sire of knowing something about what in
Germany are called "silver weddings" and
golden weddings, came upon me, that
should address myself for information to a
German lady.
She sat down, and applied herself to the
task of exposition, with the true gusto of one
who is about to be employed in some highly
congenial occupation. Some of my readers
who are acquainted with caste romance
may remember how, at the er of each DAYS
march, little paunchy Fadladcen sat himself
down, shut his little eyes-the better to favor
meditation-and pronounced his opinions
oracularly al the while he did so, never ceas-
ing to interlace his little fingers, and twirl
his little thumbs. Whenever 'sparty" falls
into this attitude and adopts this bearing, it
is a sure sign of some highly elaborate utter
ance speedily coming to pass-of the inten-
ton to deal with the case in hand from the
beginning EDWARDS to exhaustion. Such was
the attitude and bearing assumed for the oc-
casion by my German lady informant
The silver wedding" said she, musingly,
the golden wedding. Oh, yes; but I will
begin with the real wedding. No, latter a
pause,) | must go back further-nust begin
with the 'polters abend." No; further back
still; in short to the beginning"
Somewhat apprehensive that my fair in
tormant would commence with the birth,
rearing, and education of the two Illustrative
lovers that were in progress of time to be-
come two spouses, (oride and bridegroom, J
lastly, husband and wife; not forgetting to
eXpatiate on the little rufflings which disturb
the current of all true love, ventured to
tell my fair friend that the very slightest no.
tice of preliminaries would suffice for the oc-
caSion. She bowed assent
when in Germany a gentleman expert
spoke my informant,) "the first thing he
does is to speak to her mamma and papa. If
mamma AMI papa look approvingly, then the
gentleman asks consent to pay his addresses
to the young lady; if not, there the matter
ends"
L opened my eyes.
Has the young lady nothing to say on her
own behalf?" demanded u
Not much; It's not like in England We
do things differently in Germany. Our way
is better-far better"
why better ?" l somewhat hurriedIv ex-
claimed; more hurriedly, perhaps, than might
have seemed polite.
" Why 6etter2" she echoed; simply be,
cause 1t as"
l could not be otherwise than satisfied with
the lady-like logic of the answer.
off the lady's papa and mamma see no oh
JtSliOAl ttAANA A eiS papa ana mann
ma see no objection, the two young people
exchange rings, become engaged, call them
selves bride and bridegroom, and advertise
their engagement in the newspapers"
pleasant" thought l.
"But if the lady should happen to see 6
gentleman she loves BETTER" remarked l, de
ferentially.
Quick as quick could be, my last words
were caught up.
GA woman never loves twice." observed
my informant. "Women are not like men.
did not argue the point, but went on
quite deferentially, to suggest the hypotheti
cal case of change of feeling and opinion oil
the gentleman's part.
A German young gentleman is only too
happy to get good wife," said she. "H
doesn't want to change his mind. He wants
somebody to clean his pipes, cook for him
make his coffee, and bring his Slippers
Germans are quite different from English
men"
Different! How? Why?"
Because they are" said she.
could not be otherwise than satisfied.
eff engagements are thus irrevocabIe y
inquired, "why don't the young people ge
married at once?
1t was stupid question; ought to hay,
reflected upon the pecuniary means. Tha
was not, however tho poipt Of g.,