The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-14

ciates matrimonial agencies with matters
in the line of the bunco game is often sur
prised TO hear in France that they are
regarded by people eminenuy respectable
as a social agency entirely legitimate and
often praiseworthy, so much so, in fact.
Jhat their 1ntermediation is sought in a
very large percentage of the matrimonial
affairs of what must be called. for want
or more definite term, the middle and
higher classes of society. Many of the
agencies are In reality not regular busi-
ness establishments, but individual match
makers, who work entirely, or so far as
possible, without publicity. They are most
ly women of more or less standing in Pa
risian society, whose husbands earnings
are not sufficient TO enable them 10 main
tain the position they desire and who,
through the commissions they receive as
marriage brokers, manage to make very
comfortable incomes. Some of fhem have
titles. Their intercesson is USUALLY known
10 only one of the parties 10 a marriage,
and they are, of course exceedingly dis
Greet.
Monsieur" say these women when a
man IS recommended to them, you must
always remember that YOU are not in an
agency here, but in a drawing room which
is open only TO persons who bring the high
est testimonials. 1 receive people, l intro
duce them, unite their hearts, and 1 re-
ceive my commission; that is ALL"
But while these matchmakers arrange
many marriages, the regularly licensed
marriage brokers do the bulk of the bust
ness. There are three classes of them
recognized by the police, although all
pay the same annual tax to the govern
meat, and all are subject to the same reg
ulatlons. Officially stated, the first cate
CORY has for male clients ruined noble
I..4 r..T...- -
! noIders' including dplomatists
The women are recruited
| from the ranks of the for
eign colony of Paris, among orphaned
| heiresses and the rich widows of manufac-
tufers. At agencies of this class moth
lns Is paid In advance by the applicant,
put he must agree, in writing, to pay. ar-
ter marriage, SO much of the wife's
| doWry-ordiuarily per cent. 1t often hap
pens that both parties to the marriage are
clients OF the establishment; in which
case the fee is raised to or 8 per cent
always out of the wife's dowry.
The clientele of the second-class aeen-
! cies is composed of retired functionaries
less highly placed, retired officers of the
army ana the navy, and women of bour-
geols families in quest of a husband a lit
tie higher in the social scale than their
acquaintance" In this class a deposit is
required by the agent, from 100 to 500
amount paid on the dowry.
The agency of the third class is much
| more common. There are fifty of them in
| Paris. They make a specially of arrang-
| ing marriages for women with a past. In
| TINS case, according to the prospectus of
| me pest known establishment there is no
| IAed price TO be paid beforehand. 1.-The
| percentage on the brides dot and the
| earnest money required are proportional
| upon the peculiarities and the exigencies
| OF the case" In other words, the agency
! once IN possession of the woman's secret
practically levies blackmail without hind
| rance 1t is really due 10 the abuse aris-
| ing In this kind of affair that the govern
| ment IS driven to make periodical maui
rles INTO the conduct of the whole system.
| Ihese three classes of agencies named in
| Guide most of the marriage brokers' 1t
| has often been remarked chat there is none
| Tor the poorer classes of people; but that
| is explained by the fact that the poorer
| classes would not be renumera tive i'm this
| sort of business. Within a year or so a
matrimonial exchange" has been estab-
! lished by number of well-known people
| to provide free facilities for poor young
people in search of mates but If has not
| yet accomplished much There are also
! three or four Catholic agencies which. if
not under the care of the church. are at
| least countenanced by it in the interests
| OF morality. They are not regular agencies
/ d9 NHty are connected with religious COM
| munities. There is no charge for their ser
| vices, but the clients are expected 10 con-
! tribute to the parochial poor fund as much
| as they are able TO afford
Many of the agencies of the first class
are exceedingly strict in their requirements
of a client. Most all of them stpulate that
| the man shall be noble, or if not, either
| of an old and well-known country family
| or government official. This will be the
more readily understood when the fact is
remembered that a Frenchman does not
seek the aid Of an agency until he has no
| more money; II is to revive his fortunes
| that he marries. In general the agencies
| of the better class are built on the same
model. Here are some of the questions ask
! ed:
What is your full name and address? If
| your family has chateau name it. Have
! YOU title? Any decorations? Give your
| genealogy for as many generations as
! you can.
what Is your exact age? Place of birth?
! What is the state of your health? Give your
! exact height; stout, thin or medium?
! What Is the color of your hair? Bald, or
| growing bald? Describe your face as to
! shape and complexion. Have you a mus
J tache? Whiskers, and what sort? Des-