San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1878-09-28
A FRENCHMAN's wOOING.
rh. Co,d.bIooded Way In Which Cournng
rs Carried ON In France.
From the London World.l

From the London world.l
The Frenchman, when he has made
up his mind to marry, is really iovaoie'
il not exactly by the object OF his choice:
II brings out all the hidden frankness OF
his nature. There is no beating about
the bush with him; he announces his
intention to all the world, at least to all
whom it may concern, to-wit, the ola
ladies'. He lays his situation before
them with a modest confidence, and, in
doing so, of course, gives the personal
attractions on which he must necessarily
be silent an opportunity of speaking for
themselves. He is explicit as to his
age, his family, his means, particularly
as to his means. He has SO much, ana
he wants so much TO add to it, with all
the youth, beauty, wit and good sense
that can be thrown in by way of bonus.
Will the old ladies be good enough to
bear his case in mind, and to lock out
for him among their numerous ac-
auaintancesp OF course they will; they
could not have more agreeable com.
mission 1t is deed of mercy that will
be twice blessed-to the girl that wants
a husband, to the man that wants Il wife.
They tell him he may consider the mat
ter as settled; it is in their hands.
After that he has only to show Il
proper assiduity in calling--to look in
upon these honorary commission agents
from time to time for the "tip," while
they proceed to pass all their eligible
feminine acquaintance in review. They
make all the requisite inquiries as to
means, and connections, and contrlve
accidental meetings, at which he
may have q view of the wares.
"Bon jour, Monsieur! j'ai songe a
votre petite affaire." When you hear
that said at morning call youknow what
it means. The hurried colloquy in the
back drawing-room that follows is like
wise no mystery; the good old creature,
is giving him few main particulars, land
"the office" for tomorrow night.
There is to be little soiree, and he is
not to fail to be there, for she, the can
didate, is invited. In plain terms,
he to come and see if she
will do. 1t is an inspection. All that can
be learned by mere report he knows-the
candidate is up to the mark in family
and fortune; other needtul particulars
rs mind and manners can only be OBJ
tanned at the interview. She, on her
part, or rather her mother for her, has
likewise had the tip from the same
friendly quarter. Are they not the
most methodical people in the worldP
She either pleases or does not please.
In the former case, the fathers call on
one another, and then the notaries; in
the latter there is no harm done. Moth
ing has been said to compromise them
before each other or before the world.
If they met, "'twas in q crowd" and
he did no more than ask her opinion of
a picture or of the new tenor vt the
Italiens. He is expected to divine from
her monosyllabic answers to these
questions what kind of a companion she
would make for life-journey, how she
would stand by him in sickness and in
health, in riches and in poverty, until
death do them part. No; not in riches
and in poverty, though; he obtained
satisfactory assurances as to that part of
the prospect before he ran the risk of
falling in love. They are practical
people to the last.
When all is arranged, they begin to
make love, with II mother or some elder
ly friend to keep them company. They
must not be left alone-what would
people say? Worldly minded mothers
find this tete-d-tetc of three a great NUS
ance; it keeps them at home, and they
will often complain that the young
fiedglings talk an unconscionable time,
There cali be nothing else to censure; it
is the discreetest billing and cooling
ever witnessed since birds were birds.
In its widest excuses it never goes be-
yond giggle; and if hands do meet
occasionally, it is only under the cover
of book, which perhaps, if We come to
the strictest necessities of the case, one
might hold as well rs two. Mothers
have been known to leave the room for
n moment on pretense of looking for Il
letter; but in theory, at least, they are
always there. All is in consequence
fair and above-board in French court
ship. You may .'aSsist" at il ii you are
a friend of the family. 1t is enough to
leave Il corner sacred to the lovers;
they are not like our unreasonable
young people at home, who require =
whole forest Ia themselves and new
moon t. light il every night They are
simply two in L drawing-room. and 1t
is, of course, a polite fiction Ia consider
them hut aS other two. Ii the uulouker
be philosopher, the situation is
not so dull for him - might
be supposed. lie s,es most
exciting drama going on under the
terms If ordinary social intercourse.
Now they are quarreling; now they are
II up; and there has hardly been
a sign to show for it To any bu. the most
experienced eve; "balle, OF action"
could hardly be greater puzzle rs
means Of telling n tale. That curt, low