Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-07-14
PARIS MARRIAGE BROKERS,
Letter 20 the wife of the American
MinEsfer

some Of the popular French novel
lists we often find episodes carica-
During the manner in which mar
Jrlsges are contracted in France.
The courtier deS marriages is fire.
quently made an important person
age In the story, and in actual life
this appreciation of his position is
not far from the truth. The per-
sons who concern themselves with
this business Of making up mar
riages belong to all ranks in society,
from the insufieiently lowered
Dutcbess or Countess down to the
strictly professional agent. The
only difference between them is that
whIe the noble entermediaires of
the Faubourg st. German work in
secret and receive their commissions
sous main, the regular marriage
broker carries on his or her bust
ness openly, and even advertises in
the newspapers. If'you have moro
money than blazons in your escutch-
con, and want to thin the plebeian
blood of your family with the pur
sang, you have only to 60 to one of
these trafickers in human flesh and
he will supply you with husband
for your daughter, furnished accord
ing to the amount of dot which you
are prepared to give her, with more
or less antiquity of descent and
hereditary dignities. There is no
sham in the matter, for these scions
of nobility being without a sou to
bless themselves with, think it no
disgrace to them to place them
selves on the books of those cour-
tiers DIES marriages. 1t is no won
der that with such encouragement
the persons employed in this ca
pacity should occasionally forget
that other countries hold such Gus
toms in contempt, or transgress in
their cupidity the respect due to
distinguished foreigners. A fragrant
example of this boldness has Just
been brought to my knowledge, in
the form of a letter addressed by a
marriage broker in the Faubourg
st. German to the wife of one of |
the diplomatic Representatives of |
the United States, who is staying
there temporarily. l translate it
from the original, which is now
lying before me:
Madame L'Ambassadrice Per- |
nit your humble servant to an
nounce to you piece of intelligence |
which will occasion much pleasure
to your honorable countrywomen,
the American ladies at present Wis
iting Paris, and who might wish to
remain here permanently. The sub
iect is a very delicate one, and
should, therefore only be communi-
Gated to those whom it concerns.
This is it:
"A great number of immensely |
wealthy American ladies come to
Paris in the hope of contracting
matrimonial alliances with young |
gentlemen of high position and the |
bearers of French titles. have |
been TO Rome, and there l have &C.
CURED the conviction that the rich
American and English ladies who |
are staying there, only visit that
city to get married to the young
men of high rank who are to be
found among the Pontifcal Zou-
ayes. l, therefore, desire to inform
Madame lAmbassadrice that l am
in business relations with many
young men of great family who are
members of that corps and resident
at Rome. have also to announce
to Madame IAmbassadrice that
here in Paris l am in daily inter
course with young men bearing the
titles of Marquis, Baron, Viseount,
Count, Duke, and even Prince, and
who would willingly consent to mar
~ Americans, or any other foreign
ers, provided they have fortunes.
Among these young men, bearers of
great titles, there are many who are
in the great departments of State,
and who even hold rank at court.
Let me assure you, Madame,
that these marriages are effected
with all the delicacy possible, and
all the other obserYances usual In
such cases. ! undertake all the ar
rangements, and / shall only expect
compensation for my trouble when
the marriage shall be fully accom-
plished. In this way there is no
possibility of fraud on my part.
Have the kindness, Madame Fam
bassadrice, to announce this news
to your countrywOmen, who, l am
sure, will hail it with joy, as it will
permit them to marry, or to marry
their daughters to the elite of Pa
risian society. III had known the
addresses of the American ladies
residing in Paris, | would have de
voted myself to the task of bearing
the news to them personally. l
trust, Madame IAmbassadrice, that
YOU will have the kindness to send
me the names and addresses Of the
rich and handsome members of the
American colony permanently or
temporarily resluIng III airs
"Be good enough also, Madame
TAmbassadrice, TO communicate my
name and address to Mesdames-
there follow the names of severa
well known American ladies J.
who l am acquainted with merely
bv name, and who have the honor
Of being personally known to you
They will circulate my offer, and
hope by this means to acquire th'
esteem of the American ladies, anc
under your fortunate auspices u
effect the happiest and finest mar
riages, which will permit the your!
couples to- remain in Paris unde
your kind protection.
81 can be seen at any hour at m
residence, but j prefer going to tn
house of those who have occasion
for my services.
81 have the honor to be, Madam
rAmbassadrice, your very devote
servant. =
mo. As Rue de Faubourg 5
German, 5th May, 1869
BE good enough, MADAM
rAmbassadrice, to honor me with
reply" - : .
-. ol;nso booips in Asia