The times., 1898-08-15
MARRIAGES IN FRANCE
How People Are Swindled by
Agents.
THE MATRIMONIAL SHOPS
Matchmaking Methods of Some of
The Place of the Agent In French
SOciety-Catechism for Persons
Who Seek to Marry Rich Women.
(p,ris Letter 70 fro New York sur

The French government. being essen
TALLY maternal, even to the point of su-
pervising the engagement of wet-nurses.
is about to undertake an inquiry into the
workings of the marriage bureau. The
subject is an interesting one, for the rea-
son that the marriage bureau in France
is recognized social institution, differing
in many ways from those of other coun-
tries. The American or Englishman who
associates matrimonial agencies with
matters in the line OF the bunco game is
often surprised 10 hear in France that
they are regarded by people emlnently re-
spectacle as social agency entirely le-
climate and often praiseworthy, so much
so, in fact, that their intermediation is
sought in very large percentage of the
matrimonial affairs of what must be call
ed. for want of a more definite term, the
middle and higher classes of society.
Many of the agencies are in reality not
regular business establishments, but in
dividual matchmakers. who work entire
ly, or so far possible, without publici-
ty. They are most women of more or less
standing in Partisan society. whose hus-
bands earnings are not sufficient to ena-
bic them TO maintain the position they
desire, and who. through the commissions
they receive as marriage brokers, man
age to make very comfortable incomes.
Some of them have titles. Their inter-
cession Is usually known TO only one of
the parties 70 a marriage, and they are,
of course, exceedingly discreet.
Monsieur" say these women when
man is recommended to them. you must
always remember that you are not in an
agency here, but in drawing-room,
which is only open to persons who bring
the highest testimonials. 1 receive peo-
and l receive my commission: that is all.
But while these matcnmakers arrange
many marriages, the regularly licensed
marriage brokers do the bulk of the
business. There are three classes of them
recognized by the police, although all pay
the same annual tax TO the Government,
and all are subject to the same reguIa-
tions. Officially stated. the first category
has for male clients ruined noblemen
and the better class of retired office
holders" including diplomatists. The wo-
men are recruited from the ranks of
the foreign colony of Paris, among or
phaned heiresses and the rich widows of
manufac turers." At agencies of this class
nothing IS paid in advance by the appli-
cant, but he must agree, In writing 10
pay after marriage so much of the wife's
dowry-ordinarily per cent. 1t often
I'D pptLS tAidt DoAil ids N4co ~ maj Ia
are clients of the establishment. in which
case the fee is raised TO or S per cent
always out of the wife's dowry.
The clientele of the second-class agen-
cies is composed of retired functionaries
less highly placed, retired officers OF the
army and the navy, and women of bour-
geois families in quest of husband q
little higher in the social scale than their
acquaintance" In this class a deposit
is required by the agent, from 100 TO 500
francs, which is always in addition to the
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 speciality of ar
ranging marriages for women with past.
Ia this class. according to the prospectus
OF the best-known establishment, there is
no fixed price TO be paid beforehand. The
percentage on the brides dot and the
earnest money required are proportioned
upon the pecuiarities and the exigencies
of the case" In other words, the agen-
cy. once in possession of the woman's Sc
cret. practically levies blackmail without
hindrance. 1t is really due TO the abuses
arising in this kind of affair that the
government is driven to make periodical
inquiries into the conduct of the whole
system.
include most of the marriage brokers. It
has often been remarked that there is
none for the poorer classes of people; but
that is explained by the fact that the
poorer classes would not be remunera-
tive in this sort of business. Within a
year or so a matrimonial exchange has
been established by humber of we'll
known people to provide free facilities for
poor young people in search of mates but
it 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. as they are con-
nected with religious communities. There
| is no charge for their services, but the
clients are expected to contribute 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 require
ments of client. Most all of them stip-
ulate that the man shall be noble or If
not, either of an old and well-known coun-
| try family, or a government official. This
will be the more readily understood when
| the fact is remembered that French
| man does not seek the aid of an agency
until he has no more money; il is to re-
vive his fortunes that he marries. In
general, the agencies of the better class
are built on the same model. Here arc
some of the questions asked:
What is your full name and address,
| If your family has a chateau, name it
| Have you a title? Any decorations? Give
your genealogy for as many generations
as you can.
What is your exact age? Place oi
| birth? What is the state of your health:
Give your exact height; stout. thin oil
| medium? What is the color of your hair;
Bald, or growing bald? Describe your
| face as to shape and complexion. Have
you a mustache? WhiSkerS and what
sort? Describe state of your teeth. Are
your feet and hands small or large?
Where were you educated, and what
| is your education? Give an outline OF
| your character. What are your particular
| virtues? Do you acknowledge any faults
| Vices? What are your tastes? Name
| your accomplishments. Give some ac.
count of your duels. Were they published
| in newspapers? What is your religiont
| Politics? If ever employed, at what?
| Have you any fortune? What is tht
| amount of your income and its source.
Detail your possessions in land. houses
! furniture, pictures. horses, carriages
/ bonds or stocks, mortgages-in short, al
! your possessions, of whatever nature
| and the amount you can depend upon fol
| support. What are ycir expectations.
/ What is the amount of your debts, an(
| how much of the amount may be dis
| counted? What amount of these debts /.
| to be paid from your brides dowry?
Give your preferences in regard to the
! person with whom you seek to contract
an alliance. OF what birth must she be-
/ -