Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-08-28
THE WAY TO DO IT.

How q Fashionable Partisan Gets
Married.
Paris, the Mecca of the fashionables, Is
fast regaining its pre-eminence. Those who
thought that TO the German Victors must
go all the spoils must admit disappofnt-
ment in this, and TO the gay capital of
France they must still look for their styles
and their etiquette. Tho bride who will
ing Dy acknowledges the sway Of French
mllliner or manLua-maker, should certainly
not hesitate to adopt the manners and Gus
toms of the more educated and refined class
as to the conduct of that interesting cere-
mony, the wedding. The way of Hymen is
thus described by the London Echo:
SIGNING THE CONTRACT.
After Strauss waItzes and Mile Favart's
recitation, it is the turn Of the contrat de
marriage as fashionable entertainment for
the evening. And the signature of this all
important document is not unfrequently as
amusing as the French version Of De Mus
sets Chandelier or LIE Rain Allemand, the
two subjects for private defamation in
vogue this season. There is double file
of Carriages at the doors of the "future."
She has taken her place, properly shielded
by her mother, at the door of the
GREAT salon. a silent bstsalion of near re-
lations-those who are most presentable-
supports mother and daughter; and as each
guest arrives, there is 9 smile that says
nothing, plunge into a "rohe q queue"
and stereotype felicitation and embrace.
The future husband is twelve PAGES in the
rear and receives the men. In the smaller
salon sit the notaire and his clerk, with
contract and sheaf of new pens beforo
them; and further on in the state bed
room, the corbeille de nou is spread
out for exhibition. The pro-
gramme never varies; congratulations
to the mother and daughter in the first sa-
lon, or a limp seizure of the futures hand,
if one is of the male sex brief signature
in the second salon, and an inspection of
the marriage glories in the bedroom. The
cashmere and diamonds are appraised
(shawls and diamonds are the regulation
offerings of the bridegroom), the laces are
looked at, and the trousseau, by female
friends, and the guests are free, until the
next act, which takes place
before the mayor. They are not
so numerous there-the municipal author
tiles decline to admit marriage parties
of more than twenty-nor quite so
brilliant as they will be two days hence at
the church; for there are several other par
ties, of all classes, in the sale des marriages,
and the bridegroom in broadcloth will
probably find himself in painful juxtaposi-
ton to a culture" in blouse, or, perhaps,
be called after bis own laundress in the act
of handing over her daughter and appren-
tice to the affectionate care of q prosperous
coiffeur. When the party Numero Deux
(they are all numbered) 10 called however,
the rest Is easy and rapid. .
THE CIVIL MARRIAGE.
The official in a tricolor scarf reeites few
lines of the code, makes inquiries concern.
ing possible impediments, receives fees and
signatures, and declares Mademoiselle
Madame. The entire cost, con-
amounts to no more than ff-
teen francs. 1t is really not worth while TO
weep, make speeches, be sentimental OF en-
thusiastic for so small a sum; and
so the civil ceremony is nearly al
ways rather a fiat and dull affair;
the toilettes and tears, and tender phrases
are reserved for the church, much more
pompous and favorable background. Thus,
| though the greater part of PdriSieRS would
| willingly content themselves with the civil
| ceremony, there is not PdriSienne, unless
she be petr0leuSe, who does not strife for
the religious festivity. This is the final
| act, and on it all the resources, pecuniary
and artistic, Of the authors and spec
tators of the great comedy are concen-
tated. The burly Suisse rings his staff of
office on the marble floor; all the candles
are lighted; the tabernacle and the vessel of
the Host shine between the columns. Be-
| fore the altar, In arm chairs of crimson vel
vet, are collected the grandparents, and the
mdriee-she was married two days ago, but
she has only just become Ia nariee.
| THE CHURCH SERVICE.
The organ notes swell and subside; the
stoles and vestments glitter; the congrega-
tion-the audience would be more exact
Is brave in its LoDgchamps or 1ower-show
costumes; it is the fifth act of "Robert lie
Diable," only "Robert lie Disble" is more
religious. The sermon is preached by a
celebrated predicGteaT in academical phra-
ses, containing compliments for everybody
compliments to the mother, Gin whom
all the distinctions de lesprit' are
united, with all the delicaresses de
cRur;" compliments to the father-in-law,
who, because he served three years in Afri-
ca, and goes occasionally to mass, is hken-
ed to the ancient preux, brave and pious;
compliments to an academician, who is
present as a friend; compliments to mem
Der of the Assemble, with touching allu-
sion to notre pauvre France and Gam
beta; finally compliments of the newly
married couple. Then two children-a
boy and girl-dressed for the occasion,
hand round the bag for offerings. You
must have gold if you are related TO the
bridge or bridegroom. There is vocal mu-
sic-which proclaims it a ceremony-at l )
OOO francs; there are carpets on the steps
OF the church, which increase the sum to
fifteen hundred. When the service is over,
the Suisse MARI halls the guests into q com
pact file, which proceeds round the church
to the sacristy-there to exchange the con
ventioRal hand clasp with the father Of tbs
bride. Here the fluctuations recommence
the bridegroom's friends are introduced
and the bride makes $50 pluDges into hei
laces and receives as many kisses. Break
fast there Is none. Though the French
higher classes have adopted the honeymoon
AZ an institution, the pl eceding CHASTITY Ger
emonial 10 not yet acclimatized, and, let !
l be hopad neyer will ba