The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-11-22

MARRIAGES IN Observation-Disclosures
de conrenance are customary not only
among the higher and arisiocratic classes,
but extend as well to the lowest peasant
ry. Property is, among all, the great
thing desired the poorest peasant has at
least some tri6ing pittance laid by, with
parts of which he intends to endow his
children when they marry. There is the
same diplomatic negotiation among them,
when a marriage is to be arranged, as
takes place in the upper circles. Mar
riages of the commercial sort are, how.
ever, not so general among the peasants
as among their social betters. The par.
ties Immediately concerned are more fre-
quently consulted as to their inclinations.
The first move is made after preference
has been manifested among the young
peasants themselves. A young man sees
lass who pleases him. lie makes ccr-
tain advances rather bashfully; she re-
spends by tokens equally shy. 1t comes
to be generally understood in the village
that Jacques and Nannine will "make a
match"-if they can. Then occurs a re-
markable event. There is in Brittany. a
curious superstition-or rather a super
stitious tradition-about tailorS. 1t is
derived from some ancient legend which
has endowed the village tailor with pe-
culiar sacredness and reverence The
tailor lin default of notary is called
upon to settle disputes, to teach the chill
dren with tho priest, and to advise the
good folk in all domestic or social diff
culties. His peculiar prerogative is to
negotiate marriages. The young man
who is taken with the passion that comes
in time to all finds in him trusty advis-
er, engages him to arrange marriage
with the damsel's parents, and to vicari-
ously "pop the question" There is q
Breton saying that the tailor could, and
he would, "marry Turk to a Jewess. y
Another diplomat in marriages, the tail
or's rival, is he who is called the "marry.
ing beggar." who has similar prerogatives
in this meter The tailor. when he en-.
tiers upon marriage negotiation, carries
with him as symbol of his office and q
hint of his errand, a broomstick lin low
Breton called ds-ralan), making the OBJ.
ject of his visit clearly known to all con-
cerned. For his services he receives al
invitation to the wedding feast, and pres.
euts of clothes aud money. The bride il
also fain to give him pair of stockings
with yellow rims, sometimes 4 yellow
stocking for one foot, a red one for the
other. The tailor, according to the ira.
dition, not SO favorable to him, must re.
main bachelor-it is disgrace to par
ents to marry their daughter to him. I'
is the eonfdant both of the parents anC
of the lovers, and is consequently pro
found in all the domestic and interesting
secrets of the neighbornood. He is tn
universal judge of the scandals he make
it point to keep his mouth tight whil
his ears are open-and so is mentor t,
all. When the tailor has brought tn
parents of the two lovers together, ther,
ensues an animated bargaining about tn
dowries. 1t is shrewd, mercantile ne
gotiation. usually, with the mediation 0
the tailor, ending in a treaty mutual,
satisfactory. Once in accord, the partie
proceed to seal the contract by drinking
as mach Of the best wine to be had a
each can master afterward seating them
selves about the table, and smoking tn
pipe of peace, alliance, and concord. TIL
lass who is the subject Of discourse i
perhaps listening, ears all agape; autter
with the momentary doubtfulness goe
wild with JOY over the happy conclusion
Afterward both families meet at tfe ca
baret and formally sign the contract
which the tailor has drawn up in true lie
gal shape adjourning to the farms O
each family to inspect the property, am
to exhibit the substantial evidences tina
the dowry promised will he forthcoming
-GEoRGE NJ. TowLE, in Harper's NIaga
zine for December.