Connecticut western news., 1877-05-04
Marrying inl France.

ries to French marriage, are facts that have been much commented upon; but hoac they marry in France, and the etiquette of that very formal and bus!ness like ceremo- nial, and the preliminsries considered nec- essary thereto, are, we believe, but little understood on our side of the water.
 The first thing to be done is to go through that time honored formality called popping the question. But French aspirapt for matrimonial honors is not allowed to make his proposals in person to the young lady. That would be a sad breach of les conoess- ances, and would probably horrify the jeunne personne out of her seven senses. A friend is charged with the delicate office ot asking her parents, not if they will ac- cept M. So-and so for son-ln-law, but if it would be agreeable to them to consider him in that possible light. Should the an- s"er-prove favorable, the gentleman may desire an interview with the lady's parents or guardians, at which interview the young lady must not be present. In the first in- terview all business questions, including the important one of the dowry, and the almost equally important one of the young mans fortune, expectations, etc., are set tied. Should all these preliminarics be fla = vorably arranged, second interview Is de- cided upon. and the day and hour rigorous ly settled beforehand. Exactly at the spec flied time the future bridegroom must pre- sent himself, carefully but not too carefully dressed-that point is essential. His De. trothed in elegant but simple attire, awaits his coming, surrounded by her parents and relatives. After this first visit he is entitled to be receive d as 8 pretendu, but must re quest admission to this privilege either by writing or through one of his near relatives. Permission once accorded, he is then for the first time presented to his lady-love as her future husband, and may afterward visit the house on an intimate but not a fa- miliar footing. He must always come in full dress, nor can his fGncee receive him in other than very careful toilet. A morn ing-dress, no matter how fresh or tasteful, is completely inadmisslble. The gentle man must invariably send his ,1fancee bo- quet on the days that he intends to call. The engaged pair must never be permitted to indulge in teteG-tete, nor can they call each other by their names without using the Drtfixes of monsieur or >mademoiselle. An engagement ought to be kept secret. and should be officially announced only a few days before the signing of the contract. Of course, French engagements are usually very brief, such life of constraint and fol. malitY being agreeable to neither party.
 These preliminary formalities having been scrupulously gone through with. next comes the question of the wedding, or rather weddings, for our French couple must he marrled twice over, once at the mayolalty, ID accordance with the law, and once at church, to satisfy religious scruples. This latter ceremony is by no means essen. tial to the legality of the marriage; but no, to be married in church is considered a proof of irreligion and republlcanism of the most ultra type. Now comes an amour, of bother which to our extremely simple ideas as regards marriage, appears to be al once stupid and unnecessary. As neces- sary preliminary to the civil marriage, the bride and groom must arm themselves with half dozen documents each. First come. the Gcte de aeGisSGaace, or birth-certificate then the consent in writing of both parents or, if either or both of them be dead, the proofs of their decease, and the consent oi grandparents or guardians in their stead If you are sixty years of age and have par ents still living, this consent is still indis pensable, unless, indeed, you go through the tormalitY of 8 trOSs sunanaGtSons respec tueuses, which consists in respectfully summonipg" yonr recalciirant parents thre, times to show cause why you should no espouse the beloved of your heart, afte which you can do as you please. But sucl a proceeding is looked upon with SO mucl disfavor by French society that it is seldom resortcd to except in extreme cases. | you are an officer Tn the army. you mus get the permission of the Minister of War to your nuptials and ne will not grant it un less the bride possesses either a dowry O
 
 of twelve hundred francs a year. Al these consents obtained, next comes tn, publication of the bans, which takes plac, not only at the church but also at the may orally. The signing of the contract is tn, next formality to be fulfilled. Usually, il Paris, this ceremonial is made the occaslol of family festival, and special dress i prepared for the bride, very often fac similie of the wedding dress. only ln som delicate evening-dress tint instead of white The notary reads aloud the contract, afte which the bridegroom rises, bows to tn, bride, and signs his name, afterward pass ing the pen to her. She signs in her turn and must then hand the pen to the mothe of the groom, who must give it in turn t' the mother of the bride. These littl points of etiquette are strictly observed All the other relations then sign in turn, ac l cOrding to age or station. It is considered , great honor to obtain some high person
 age as witness to the contract. If ther
 is fete given on the occasion, the cOr6iell , or wedding presents Of the bridegroom. ant the trousseaU as we'll, are exhibited to th , guests. The cOr6eiUe comprises shawls jewels, gloves, faces, furs, etc., togethe i, with purse containing sum of money il B gold. .the whole inclosed in a large and ele , gant box, or in handsome work table f The value of thls present is usually sup posed to represent one per cent. of th' young lady's dewry.-From Appleton Journal for Nay.
 , Raj ErORd Speed.
 Worcester Spy of Saturday,