The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-08-25
A French Marriage Contract.


A contract Of marriage extraordinary
was recently brought under the conddsra-
ton of the Paris Court Of First Instance.
A count and countess, whose names are
not given by the legal iournsls which re-
port the case, refused their, consent TO
the marriage Of their daughter Helen with
the man of her heart She thereupon re-
tired to convent, from which she adj
dressed to her parents these aGss rsspec.-
sssess1, which By the French code enables
persons Of full age TO marry without the
consent Of parents, which is prinsa .facie
necessary. Ihereupons the parents inssi-
tuted suit to stop the marriage ON. the
ground that their daughter was insane,
and the principal evidence produced in
support of the allegation WAS that she had
signed q contract Of marriagein the fol-
lowing FORM: gaaa n9lAt3o..s ,-..,.
Gun MARRIAGE CONTRACT. ADJ =.
Article I Loving each other, and knowing
each other well enough to beeertain that one
cannot be happy without the other We iofn
ourselves together to live forever hereafter 40
good married people. She vim be- and
will be she !; he viii be and, Twill be be. az
all my mind, all my strength, and nv
whole being to the purpose Of, maintaining
her, and the children that che may giIecme,
honestly and deeently. - 31ia-s
Art. 8. Helen-I promise Charleg 70 secoad
him in keeping our household fNem;walt and
ical habits duty. 8.. 10. 49,.
Art 4 Charles-I admit that / am sometimes
hasty and violent. I hope 10 be excused from
any sudden burst of anger. sil i. as -
Helen-n will perhaps be hard to endure,
but the condition is acceded to. .@A
something. My temper is q little uneven, and
am greatly disposed to be jealous.
Charles-I win not mind caprices, If they
are not too frequent. As to the other fault,
am disposed to rejoice at it rather than other
wise, for jealous person is not likely to give
cause for jealousy.
Art. 6. Charles and Helen-We are persuad-
ed that between lovers disputes and coolnesses
always arise from petty causes. On this ae-
count We mntually promise never to folloWour
own desires IN things Of small importance. but
always to give way to each other.
Helen-In important matters it win b right
that Charles should decide, for he has more
knowledge and judgment than L
ohariee-Helen is too modest. 1shaN never
decide anything without consulting haz. and
either converting her to my views o. adopting
hers, if I think them best. 1sl9.a
Art z. Asa consequence Of the hst pseeed-
according to he taste Of the Other.
Art s The wonas II viii, i" ~ expect"
~ require, and other similar expressions, are
absolutely erased from cur dictionary.
Art. 8 Charles win honor his wife that che
may be honored BY others. He win always
exhibit towards her esteem and confidence
and win be especially careful never In her Pre-.
sence to allow any advantage ever her 10 any
other woman upon any point whatsoever.
Art. 10. We shall ever bear In mind tAat
want Of cleanliness and attention to personal
appearance must necessarily produce repug-
nance and disgust Neatnees is to tha 6ody
what amiabifty is TO the soul 1t b that which
Art II. Helen-The maiosity OF woman
nurse their own children. hope Charles Vin
approve Of my performing my duties -
mother.
Charies.-I approve, subject to the doctors
Art II. Charles.-Helen vim take great caro-
not to spoil our childrenis intellect In their
early years. She mast not talk or suffer 9th.
eB 70 talk TO them, any of that nonsense which
gives nlse ideas and dangerous impressions
throughout life.
Heisa.-I win pay great attention to this
Art Ii. Although our mutual tenderness y
a guarantee that we shall never fail In the en-
gagements hereintofore set forth, each Of rs
win keep copy Of these presents, and, IN case
of the breach Of any article, shall be entitled to
lay it before the other party TO remind him or
her of the covenants entered into.
Art. IA. Inasmuch as neither Will have any
thing that does not belong to the other, there
is no occasion to take any account of the con-
tribution of each to the common stock. Affec-
ton and courage, our only fortune, cannot be
counted, and each of rs viii endeavor to bring
as much as possible.
Done in duplicate at Paris, in the year of
grace 1854.
With all my heart.
CHARLES D.
With all my heart and for all my life.
tf1i' HELEN
Future wife of Charles D.
The court held that this eccentric con-
tract afforded no evidence of insanity, for
which imputation there was, moreover, no
pretence. Judgment was accordingly
given against the parents, and the Mayor
il ordered to proceed at once to perform
the marriage cerernNnv