St. Landry democrat., 1880-03-06
Marriages ian France.
detroit Free PreSS.l

Inc marriage ue CouFeHdHCt, a.
marriage arranged by the parents, and
in which the young girl mostly con-
cerned has no option but to submit to
think, generally believed in our own
country to be universal among the
French. In accordance with this idea,
lis it true" asked a French lady of
my acquaintance, during my stay in
Paris, ''is it true that when Il French
girl reaches suitable age she is
married by her parents to any man
whom they may select, and that her
feelings on the subject, or the person,
is never taken into consideration p
NV friend smiled. That" She
replied, sis, perhaps, as clear as under
standing as the people of one nation
generally possess of the manners and
customs Of those they call foreigners |
have lived in America and, therefore, |
know the characters in Sardons play OF
Uncle Sam are not drawn from life. |
know that young ladies Of"America are
not in the habit OF making the acquaint-
ance of strange gentlemen upon a river
steamboat, OF inviting them to cal, and,
finally, of taking a trip to a watering
place in their company as caprice OF
the evening.
81 know to the contrary, but probably
nearly all the Parisians who laughed
over the play were firmly persuaded
that it represented Il perfect picture OF
trans Atlantic life and manners. In
the same way, the people of America, |
have no doubt, believe that our girls
are immured in converts during the
early years of their lives that they are
taken from school at the age of sixteen
or seventeen to be married, with or
without their own consent, to men old
enough to be their fathers, and that
their whole future lives are absorbed in
worldliness and gayety. Isn't shat
true 2"
We'll, yes, | admitted, perhaps to a
certain extent. Tell me, then, please,
how marriages are made in France, for
it is at least certain that they are made
after one fashion or another, instead of
springing spontaneously into. being as
with u.s."
every well, I will describe to you the
latest marriage in which | have been
interested, and from that you can obtain
a very good idea as to the usual manner
of proceeding.
"The niece of my friend, Nine. V,
had reached the age of twenty-five and
was still unmarried. The father, having
made comfortable fortune, had retired
from business, aud being of quiet
habits, the family consisting of father,
mother and daughter, lived retired,
secluded life. Their only excitements
were an occasional visit to the theatre
or family dinner party, chez eur.
Nine. Y. looked on in silent dispair,
seeing that the parents were doing
nothing for the future of their daughter,
until, persuaded that this state of
things might continue indefinitely, she
resolved to take the matter into her
own hands.
SIS it your wish that Marie should
become an old maid p she inquired one
day after this resolution had been made.
ma. "Bnt what would you have Eve go
nowhere, and we know no young men.
What can we do 2
"WilI you leave it to me ?"
certainly, with all my heart"
So Nine. V. set herself to the work.
Her acquaintance was wide and she
searched diligently in its ranks, the
result being that her choice fell upon
certain young man of good position and
maria geable age. She then paid a visit
to his mother, who, after delicate ques-
tioning, was found to be favorable to
the affair. The family and position of
the young girl, together with her expec-
ted dot being entirely satisfactory, on
the following day the mother OF the
aspirant paid visit in state TO the
mother of the girl. But there, untortu-
nately, negotiations ceased. NO. said
the latter to Nine. V, who came in later
to inquire in the state of affairs: mo, it
is finished. [ could never give my
daughter mother-n-law like that.
"Thus poor Nine. Y, was obliged to
begin anew. That very evening, while
received call from a handsome young
"Mme. ", Nine. w he exclaimed,
in the course of their
where is the wife you
promised to find for me so long ago.
mime. VS. eyes sparkled with delight. |
Here was the desired chance knocking
at her very door.
give the prettiest little wife in the
world for yOu,' she cried. wait but q |
few days and yOu shall see.'
"a few days later the young captain
received an invitation to dine with NJ |
and Nine. V. AT that dinner he had |
the pleasure Of sitting beside the !
charming Mile. Marie, who, with her !,
father and mother, had been invited to |
meet him, and to whom he lost no time |
in surrendering his susceptible heart.
The very next day Nine. v, acting as
his am bassador, made formal demand
IN his part for the hand OF the young
ady. The father requested few days
70 inquire into the character of the
snitor. His past record, his position
md prospects being found satisfactory,
le was then given the permission to
visit the house. Affairs rapidly pro-
and three weeks from the time
# the first meeting at dinner, the
took place.
Indeed" ended my friend, at was
good match on both sides.
He had position and she money; her
ather being SO pleased with the mar
iage that he not only furnished her
louise magnifcently, but doubled her
lot. Of course Marie knew nothing
bout the affair in the beginning, until
IL the renseignments had been taken
nd he had been allowed the privilege
Il visiting the house, and she could
ave refused him at once had she
isliked him or the marriage"
And are they happy9" I asked,
ather doubtful Of the result.
"The happiest people one could hope
Q meet" was the emphatic reply.
They were in Paris only a few days ,
go, when he told Nine. Y: that if she