The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-23
PARsIAN MARRIAGE.

How Matches Are Made in Fashionable Cir
cIes-Wedding Gifts and Ceremonies.
Paris Letter.
A writer in lie Figaro has recently taken upon
himself the task of teaching people how TO live
in grand style. In a recent article he has OK
planned the correct ceremonial of q French mar
riage and its prelminares First of all the
match makers, parents-and friends hold all
kinds of meetings and contradictions at balls, at
the theater, at the races, in all the fashionable
meeting places. If all the information obtained
about the two parties is satisfactory. an inter
view is arranged. Midde-class people arrange
this first meeting at the Opera Comique, the
most correct and decorous OF all Partisan thea
ters. The arstocrats prefer the churches of
Saint Clotilde or Thomas dAQuin. The Young
man is told that the young lady will wear such
and such hat, and, concealedfurtivey behind
pillar. he examines her and decides whether she
pleases him or not If her parents are less Sc
we're the first meeting may take place in a
friendly house, at a picture exhibition, at a
flower show or what not, and the parties are
allowed not only to see each other, but to eX-
change few words. The following day reply
has to be given. If it is negative on the part of
the Young woman, her father writes to the
Young man thanking him for the honor Of his
demand and regretting for some reason or an
other not to be able to receive it faYorably. If
it is affirmative, the mother writes and invites
the young man to call upon her in the afternoon.
The young man then sends white bouquet to
the Young woman, whom he may consider to bo
his fance and until the marriage is celebrated
he must continue to send bouquet every morn
ing of roses camellias, gardenas, or violets
Two or three days after his acceptance. the
contract is signed, the engagement ring offered
"a sapphire pearl or a ruby, never a diamond
and the young man is invited to dine in the
family of his future wife every night The mar
riage is celebrated six weeks or two months
after the engagement, that is to say, Just time
enough is left to buy the corbeille and trous-
seau The corbele consists Of diamonds and
lace shawls, cashmere wraps two opera clOGkS
four ball dresses Zibeline furs a scent bottle a
watch purse full of golden pieces. card case,
a pearl necklace, and a dress of Acncon point
lace The fanee sends these objects to the
bride on the day of the signature OF the marriage
contract ceremony to which all friends and
ac0uantances are invited. The bride wears a
rose,colored dress on this occasion; the wedding
presents are exhibited with the names Of
the eivers; the corbeille is shown Oh diff
ferent table, and all the guests, after signing
their names at the foot of the contract walk
round and examine the presents
| The civil marriage before the mayor is a pure
formality, at which nobody is present except the
parties concerned and the necessary witnesses.
The following day the religious marriage Is cele-
| brated with as much pomp as you please. The
bride wears white satin dress with face veil
over her hair and wreath of orange blossoms.
| The face is uncovered and the dress high necked.
The rest of the ceremony does not differ from
that practiced in England and America. There
is a wedding breakfast and a honeymoon trip,
and very often the couple so married do not live
| happily ever afterward.