The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1868-03-05
THE TRIBUNE.
Marriages in France.
.gHaris Correspondence New xork post1


Charivari has produced certain cat
echlsm for the use of persons DESTROYS O
taking the degree of baccalaureate il
matrimony. The examination is con
Quoted as follows. The future bride
groom is first questioned, separately:
Elcanainer-'I am about to interro-
gate you on your special aptitude for
marriage You appear already arrived
at a certain age ~
Bridcgroom-elect-sI am forty eight
years old
And the fiancee?'
"She is seventeen.
Thirty years difference. Well that
is not in the programme. 1t is your
lookout. Why are you going to marry
Monsieur, | do not well know myself
But [ am all alone bachelor. | am
rather bored My position obliges me to
maintain a certain rank in the world. |
must keep house In short, one must
wind up and settle down at some time.
The future is in the hands of none.
If you have children you expose them
to the chance of becoming orphans before
they are fairly launched in their careers. "
''Ah yes-the children. But l am in
hopes not to have many.
'sDo you love your wife, and are you
beloved by her?''
She is a young person very well
brought up, and belonging to an excellent
family, Her dot is most advantageous,
and she has, moreover. expectations.
There is nothing to prevent my being
very happy with her. myself am III a
good business.
Il see that you unite all the aptitude
desirable for your new condition. [ ac-
cord you the conjugal diploma, with the
privileges thereto attached.
Examination of B,ade-elect- You
come, Mademoiselle, as an aspirant for
the baccalaureate of marriage p
Bride-elect-''Yes, sir
'sYou feel yourself possessed of the
qualities necessary In a wife and mother
of a family2''
Yes, sir"
Il congratulate you What in former
times was a duty, has to-day become an
evidence Of heroism. Then you have
the courage to bring up your children?"
Eyes, sir; my mother has told me
that if [ had any, she will find me an
excellent nurse from Normandy"
"Ah, very good You will then have
little more leisure to attend to the af
fairs of your house."
II do not understand housekeeping,
but my mother will choose for me good
cook and a femme de chaaabre. -
THAT is question of expense merely,
| do not insist upon it. But when your
children are old enough to be educated p
''If it is a boy he will be put to school;
if girl, she will enter pension.
without doubt you have much af-
lection for your husband?"
Il know nothing about it yet, but my
father assures me that shall love him
very much. Besides, [ shall have moth
ing else to do.
and why are you going to get mar
ried ~
because I am not married.
'1hat is one reason. Have you any
other?''
Pardon, monsieur, I an very anxious
to be married, in order to have recep-
ton day, to see my friends, to 90 out
alone, to go to the theatre and to balls p
1T is not necessary to be married to
go to theatres and to balls -
81 cannot always go when [ want to,
and at the theatre there are often pieces
that my parent Will not allow me to see. F."
But with these ideas do not see how
you can be either good housckecper or
morther of family"
'sOf course | cannot pass all my youth
in bringing up children and filing the
cupboard with linen, while my husband
IS at his business or his club. [ must try
to amuse myself little. >
''Well | have Just been talking with
your future husband, and I find that you
two have absolutely the same ideas. |
am delighted with such evidences of CON
geniality. think you are made for each
other, and will understand one another
admirably. Here is your diploma You
are evidently a young person, much too
reasonable to annoy your family by max
ing a marriage disinclinatory. )"