The New York herald., 1874-08-30
4 MATRIMONIAL MART IN ITALY.

4 paper OF the late Lady Amberley in MacD,il.
lan's Magazine describes visit she paid to
novel institution in Palermo. Picture q large
long room, the centre portion OF which Is divided
on from the SIDES and further END by an iron
grating which forms a cage, entered only by
wellbarred street door, through which visitors
from the outer world are admitted Here they sit
on benches to converse with those on the outside
Of the iron grating. Friends OF the Sisters or en-
ployes OF the place and the roster parents are the
usual visitors. Once week, however. ON Sunday
mornings, from ten to twelve, this place Is the
scene OF the most novel and ludicrous court
ships. One OF the objects OF this moth
erly establishment is to find 1T ana proper
husbands for the girls under their charge
the one requisite being tnat the young man
IS bound TO show himself in possession OF sufficient
means 10 inanta ain a vile IN comfort be fore he
allowed TO aspire TO the hand OF OF these
precious damses. Having given In his credentials
OF illness To the guardians he receives card
which admits HIM next sunday morning to an
Inspection oil the candidates. for matrmony.
THE BETRoTHAL.
There, sitting a bencn, II his curiosity and ar
dor will allow him to remain sitting, he waits the
arrival on the other side OF the grating OF the Lady
superior, accompanied by girl. She has been
selected by the order Of seniority and capacity for
household work rom the hundred more be-
tween seventeen and twenty-one awaiting Tor
youth to deliver them from their prison. The two
young people, bOtn no donbt breathess with agi-
tat ion at the importance OF the ceremony have TO
take one long, fixed look at each other No
word II spoken, no sign made. These good sisters
believe so fully In the language OF the eye that 10
tnefr minds any addition Is lutile, and might but
serve to mystly the pure and perfect effect OF love
at first sight The look over, the Lady Superior
asks the man II he Will accept the maiden as his
bride should ne answer in the affirmative the
same question is put to her, and il she BOWS her
assent the betrothal has taken pace and they
part till the sunday following.
SIGNING THE CONTRACT.
The yonng lover again makes mis- appea rance be.
fore the tribunal OF guardians, and there the con-
tract IS signed, the day OF marriage fixed and he Is
granted leave to bring the ring earrings a we'd
the grDl OF course TO his betrothed. Everything
has TO pass the SCRUTINY OF the Sisters Tor fear or
a.ietfer VI some tender word being sllpped in with
the gifts. During The lew sundays that intervene
between the lrst love scene and the marriage an
hours conversation within hearing OF the Lady
Superior is allowed but not touch Is exchanged.
The empty talk, interspersed with gigging con-
ssts of inquiries as to the Wedding dress the sort
oil conIett, most liked and the occupation and place
OF ABODE OF the sutOT. Should the Young man re-
1use the hrst darse presented TO MIN he Is favored
with the sight OF three more, but should he sun
.Sppear diDscfie ne Is dismissed. The girl also mas
power ol refusal.
NO GOODS WARRANTED.
Inc marriage over the task OF the Sisters Is
done, and whether happiness and faltnlulness are
the result OF this heathenlsh rite they never IN
qulre. Visitors nave wondered what mducement
there can be 10 make the youths who nave the
world To choose RON come here in search OF
wue. TWO GuBdres and fity francs ~ the great
attraction. That sum Is given In dowry with each
slcilian IS willing TO sell himself Tor bic. Those
girls l9r whom tue Institution tails to find nus
bands are allowed At twenty-0ne TO face tempta-
lions 2ipne, ana situations are l0nnd Tor them.