The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-09-15
HOW THEY WE'D IN FRANCE.
A Combination Civil I'M EOeleslAstic,
CNromany.

- Hf.$"t
IA Combination civil and EcsisalAatioa
Csrsmany.
"Giving In MARRIAGE In Fsance ID no,
the simple matter that IL 10 In the Unite,
States, says The Paris correspondent of tn,
Brooklyn Times. There 10 40 much ret
tape, 20 many papers 10 be signed, such
consulting Of lawyers. such an interviewing
of rslatives, such a combination Of civil
and ecclesiastical ceremony, that, viewed
by American ewes II viewed from the
standpoint Of American simplicity, one
finds ones self quite aghast; add to these
various demands upon ones time and pa
thence, the frequent interviews with an inn
perious d~ressmAker, the wholly unayoid-
able visits TO the large stores for the
many pretty things 30 universally conceded
az necessary to the welfare and happiness
of the prospective bride, and I think you
will agree with me that, to parody the
policOmen's chorus in Gilbert and sulli-
vans opera, Taking n consideration for
another, the French bride-elect's life 10 not
u happy one." Then she hasn't even a
chance to confide to her future husband
her many woes, that 10, without taking all
the family into the confidence, and then
imagine the difficulty of condoling with the
woman you love with an admirinR assist
ance of sisters, cousins n aunts. ] know
all the women readers Of the Times IA to
know all about it, 80 l am going to begin at
the beginning.
Upon this occasion the bride-elect was a
widow, and you will say, 'Oh! that must
have been moro simple" Not AZ all. In
France to be- married you must present
papers, signed by the father and mother of
the contracting parties, testifying that they
consent to the marriage. Before any formal
proceedings are instituted both the man
and the woman inform their relative that
they desire to be married. Then comes a
faSw n v,S re urvioku 40 tn thA ran1Iaa Then
come a shower of letters and tslegra ms, the
former filled with counsel, the latter with
congratulations. Then begin the formal
proceedings. No matter what might be
the ages of the prospective man and wife,
the consent of their parents, il they have
any, must be gwen. II the mother and
father are dead, the grandparents are the
ones asked; if these no longer dwell here
below, the nearest of kin.
In case the relatives prove obdurate,
which happens sometimes but not often
marriages being arranged by relatives
oftener than not), and if the contracting
couple have arrived at years of discretion
according to the law, this being for them
both twenty-five years, letters OF respect"
are served upon the strong-hearted connec-
tions by the lawyers of the would-be man
and wife. IT the relatives continue to act
in the same heartless fashion. three times
the papers are served and then formal con-
sent is dispensed with. a formidable docu-
ment attesting that all legalities having
been submitted the couple assume the re-
sponsibilitv without assistance. Then
comes the preparation of the papers for the
civil marriage.
The intention of the two persons to marry
must be published at the entrance of the
mayors office upon two successive Sundays,
officially stamped paper, this stamp cost
ing twelve cents. The marriage takes place
the third Sunday after the second publioa-
ton. The FUTURES" as they are not I'M
wisely dubbed, must produce the following
sance, or certificate of birth-rather anus
ing this, as it is a sort of proof that one is
born; second, the consent of the parents if
they are not present; third, If the father or
of either of the contracting parties
be dead, a stamped paper stating the time
and place of the deaths is necessary; this
costs thirty-tive cents; fourth, if all are
dead, the consent Of the grandparents is
demanded; fifth, if they are dead, a paper
testifying this must be produced; sixth, if
one of the contracting parties is a widow
or widower, q paper (stamped) is exacted to
when and how the aforesaid wife or
husband died.
All these papers must be given over to the
secretary for investigation. Each
reimbursement, which is like e ward with
US, has its special mayor. A certain num-
Der of days, eleven, l think. are allowed for
the investigation. All this business re-
the expenditure of different sums of
money, to say nothing Of the tips. Then
comes the affixing of the banns in the
the securing of the four witnesses,
Two for each of the contracting parties.
After the formal acceptance of this position
IF trust, the two gentlemen who have con-
to act in this capacity present them
selves to thank in person the bride-elect for
The honor conferred.