The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-06-12
. -----=------
FRENCH MARRIAGES.

correspondent OF the New York Evening
Gazette, writing from Paris, gives US another
picture Of 'society" which will be instructive
"French marriage ought to interest us from
its novelty; it is so entirely different from
everything with which we are familiar. The
interested marriages in America are accompanied
with love, at least one side The heiress
loves the fortune hunter to whom she gives her
hand; the maiden is loved by the rich man
who purchases her consent. In America it
never is cold, commercial bargain it is al
ways leafened with love-
1t is absolutely. different here. People con-
tribute lace, cashmere shawls, horses, houses,
carriages, public securities, railway bonds, pro-
mi>sory notes-everyfhing but love, TO marriage
Nobody ever thinks of inquiring on the subject
Of love. The Investigations made begin and
end with the real and personal estate. Acquain-
tance itself Is dlsregarded if the real and per
sonal estate are satisfactory They think here
the parties have all their life before them to
become acquainted. AS notaries occupy in
business very much the same position that
priests do in religion, being the business con
!essors Of everybody, most marriages are nego-
tated by the notares. You have a marriage-
able daughter, You go to him and tell him
you wisN husband You say. what you viii.
giv$ her on her marriage, what linen she has,
Ga wife is commonly expected to bring her husv
band linen enough to last lifetme) and what
money she will receive on your death. You
further Inform him what money you require
from her husband, and the form of contract you
wish shall the wifes whole estate be secured
to her, shall the husbands and wife's estate
90 the survivor, shall they hold both estates
in common? ? The notary examines his clients
to see II any of them have son likely to suit
your conditions. If he has none, he ,Dakes in
discovered. He is introduced to the father-in-
law IN futur0-i if he suits, I've is soon introduced
to the daughter; in fortnight they are mar.
fied. You see it is entirely a matter of dollars
and cents. The heart has no vote in the debate.
Can you wonder that many husbands and
vi ives separated, and that conjugal infdeiity
ls so common here
This abominable system and the passion for
display which now fevers all classes in France,
are running the women Of this country. detect
a sensible change in the women here during my
residence. They are colder, more heartlcss,
physically weaker than they were twenty years
ago l thought it might be mere fancy on
my part, but the Investigations on the subject
which | have made show. that the medical pro.
fession unanimously agreed on this subject
They declare the French women are degsne-
rating. They are losing the feminine character
entirely They are becoming nervous creatures,
to whom excitement is indispensable, and who,
consequently, loathe everything like domestic
and quiet.
Women, ip this country, take a much moro
active part in the husbands affairs than they
do with you This is one reason why French
trade is SO Inferior A woman cannot be taught
business. Their superficial minds are arrested
by the trifes of trade and cannot penetrate its
essence. Observe widows. who manage their
departed husbands estate it is possible to in
troduce greater stupidity and obstinacy into
transactionW
PRIEST MARRYING.-The churchly habits
of Rome are suffering serious invasions in Italy
Five priests were married within mpnth, one
being Franciscan Monk, and it is said that such
marriages are to go on increasing. The Pope
will, doubt, put his foot down heavily on.
such irregular proceedings.
footman; proud of his grammar, ushered
into the drawing room Mr. Foote and bis two
daughters, with this introduction :-"Mr Foote,
and two Misses Feet"
A lady was asked, tho other day, why she
chose to live single life She naively replied
-"Because am not able to support husband"
An izcursble old bachelor, and who seemingly
rejoices in his infrmiy, describes marriage as
"a female despotism, tempered by puddings."
A maiden lady, not remarkable for either
beauty, youth or good temper, came for advice
to Dir Arnold to how she should get rid Of
troublesome suitor. 80, Mary, marry him"
was the advice. "Nay, would see him Hanged
first" ''No madam, marry him, as said to
you, and assure you it will not be long before
he haDo.