Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-01-16

Flew me Ensasenrus IL Arssssed and 81
wedSina Conducted.

Few me Eneas~nrns IL Asrsnscd and she
weddina Conducted.
A writer In the Paris Figaro has re-
Gently taken upon himself the task Of
teaching people how to live in grand
style. In areccnt article he has explain
ed the correct ceremonial OF French
marriage and its preliminaries. First OF
all, the match-makers, parents, and
friends hold all kinds Of meetings and
combinations at balls. at the theatre.
at the races, in all the fashionable meet
ing-placcs. II ali the information OBJ
tanned about the two parties Is salts
factory an interview is arranged.
Middle-class people arrange this first
meeting at the Opera Comique, the most
correct and decorous Of all Partisan
theatres. The aristocrats prefer the
churches Of Saint Clotildc or Thomas
d'Aquin. The young man is told that
the young lady win wear such and such
hat, and, concealed furtively behind a
pillar, he examines her and decides
whether she plcascs him or not. II her
parents are less severe. the first meeting
may take place in friendly house, at
a picture exhibition, at a ilower-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. II it is a mega
tive on the part Of the young woman
her father writes to the young man,
thanking him for the honor Of his de-
mand, and rcgretting for some reason or
another not to be able to receive 1t IA
yorably. lift 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, who he may consider to
be his fancee, and until the marriage is
celebrated he must continue to send
every morning bouquet of roses. ca
mellas. gardenias, or violets.
Two or three days after his acceptance
the contract is signed, the engagement
ring offere6--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 marriage
is celebrated six weeks or two months
after the engagements-that is to say,
lust time enough is left to buy the cor
belle and trosseau. The corbeille
consists of diamonds and lace
shawls, cashmere wraps, two opera
cloaks, four ball-dresses, zibeline
furs, scent-bottle, a watch, a
purseful of golden pieces, a card
case, a pearl necklace and a dress of
Alencon point lace. The .fancee sends
these objects to the bride on the day of
the signature of the marriage-contract,
a ceremony to which all friends and ac-
quaintances are invited. The bride
wears rose-colored dress on this occa-
sion; the wedding presents are exhibit
ed, with the names of the giyers, the
corbeille is shown on separate 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 follow
ing day the religious marriage is cele-
brated with as much pomp as you
please. The bride wears a white satin
dress, with a lace 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 practiccd in England
and America. There is a wedding
breakfast and honeymoon trip, and
very often the couple so married do not
live hapnilv pvar n ffprvard