National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-09-10
4 1ATRL1foNLAL MART IN ITALY.


a MATRIMONIAL. MART IN ITALY.
A paper of the late Lady Amberly in Nae
Aillan's Adgd=ias describes visit she paid to
q novel institution in Palermo:
Picture large, long room, the centre por-
ton of which is divided of from the sides and
further end by an iron grating which forms q
cage, entered only by well barred street-door,
through which visitors from the outer world
were admitted. Here they sit on benches, to
converse with those on the outside of the iron
grating. Friends Of the Sisters or employees
of the place and the foster parents are the
usual visitors. Once week, however, on Sun
day mornings, from 10 to u, this place is the
scene of the most novel and ludicrons court
ships. One of the objects Of this motherly
establishment is to find 1T and proper hus-
bands for the girls under their charge, the only
requisite being that the young man Is bound 10
show himself in possession of SUFFICIENT means
to maintain wife In comfort before he Is al
lowed to aspire TO the hand Of one Of these
precious damsels. Having given in his ere
dentials of fitness to the guardians, he re-
eeives card which admits him next Sunday
morning to an inspection of the candidates for
matrimony
There, sitting on the bench, If bis curiosity
and srdor win allow him to remain sitting, he
waits the arrival on the other side Of the graf
ing of the Lady Superior, accompanied By
girl. She has been selected by the order Of
seniority and capacity for household work from
the hundred or more between seventeen and
twenty-one awaiting for a youth to deliver
them from their prison. The two young peo-
at the importance Of the ceremony, have to
take one long, liked look at each other. No
word Is spoken, 10 sign made. These good
Sisters believe so fully in the language of the
eye that to their minds any addition Is futile,
and might but serve to mvstify the pure and
perfect effect Of love at first sight. The look
over, the Lady Superior asks the man if be win
accept the maiden as bis bride. Should he
answer in the Affirmative the same question Is
put to her, and il she bows her assent the be-
trothal has taken place, and they part TIL the
Sunday following.
The young lover again makes bis appearance
before the tribunal of guardians, and there the
contract is signed, the day Of marriage fixed,
and he is granted leave TO bring the ring, ear
rings, wedding dress, and eo1yett, and pre-
sent them-through the girl, Of course-to his
hetrothed. Everything has 70 pass the scru-
tiny Of the Sisters, for fear Of a letter or some
tender word being clipped in with the gifts.
During the few Sundays that intervene between
the first love scene ard the marriage, an hours
CONVERSATION within hearing OF the Lady Supe-
nor is allowed, but not touch is exchanged
The empty talk, interspersed with giggling,
consists Of inquiries as to the wsdding-dress,
the sort Of confetti most liked, and the occupa-
ton and place Of abode Of the suitor. Should
the Young man refuse the first damsel pre-
sented TO him, he is favored with the sighs Of
three more; but should he still appear q 5seis,
he Is dismissed. The girl also has power Of
refusal.
The marriage over the task Of the Sisters IS
done, and whether happiness Or faithfulness
are the result Of this heathenish rite they never
inquire Visitors have wondered what in
ducersent there can be to make the youths.
who have the world to choose FROM come here.
in search Of wife. Two hundred and my
francs is the,gTeat attraction That sun Is
given in ,lowry with each Of these girls, and
for that sum, It seems, sicflian Is wishing 70
sell hinseif for life. Those girls for whom the
institution fails to ind husbands are allowed
at twenty-one 10 face temptations alone, and
situations are found for them.