The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-08-28

TO make periodical inquiries into the coIi-
duct of the whole system.
These three classes of agencies named in
clude most of the marriage brokers. II
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 remunerative in this
sort of business Within year or so
matrimonial exchange" has been es tab
lished by a number of well known peo-
pe 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 al least
countenanced by it in the interest of mo-
rality. They are not regular agencies, as
they are connected with religious COM
munities. 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 a client. Most of them stipulate
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 Frenchman does
| not seek the aid of an agency until he has
| no more money; 1t is to revive his fortunes
| that he marries. In general the agencies
| Of the better class are built on the same
| model.
| No matrimonial agency will ever con-
slider an application from a dowerless wo-
\ tfar bou hoa if,,l ttev
what advantages she may have in the way
of position or education. There is no mar
ket for the product. Every girl who de-
sires to marry must have some money.
even If it be only a pittance. The French
converts are full to overlooking of high
bred girls, many of them pretty, whom re-
versal Of family fortunes has driven into
the sisterhoods. That career, lacking
dowries, is the only one open to them
They cannot marry and they cannot seek
self maintenance. 1t is a very sad chap
ter in French social life.
| 1t is probably very seldom that a pros
pective bride is aware that her marriage
is the outcome of agency intermediation.
Sometimes her parents make application
| for her, and 1t is only in the case of widow
| that she offers herself personally. Oftencr
| still, however, not only the woman, bu.
also her family, are entirely ignorant OF
the fact that she is bid for from an agency.
AS all marriages in France are arranged"
| and as there are so many persons mixed
up in the matter. 1t is very easy for the
| astute matrimonial agent to accomplish
| her designs without fear of compromising
| discoveries. She may approach the mat
Ter not only through the girls immediate
family, but also through any of her rela-
tives or the relatives acquaintance. This
| is in no wise strange when 1t is considered
that Frenchman, If dissatisfied with the
political course of his newspaper or the nj
Of his trousers, consults all his uncles and
a cousin or two before stopping his SUBJ
scription to the one or having the other
| remedied.
| When man has finally decided upon the
girl who is-or rather whose fortune is
satisfactory to him, the work Of the agency
| usually ceases. He has been properly pre-
sented. and is henceforth upon favorable
| footing in the house. The rest of the busi-
| ness goes on in the regular way, which is,
after all, way not so different from the
matrimonial agency itself. Upon declar-
ing himself he is closely questioned by pa
er-familias, who afterward takes him to
his notary, where the professional thumb
| screws are applied. If satisfactory the
| father accepts him, and finally the CIR.
herself is notified that she is to be mar
ried. Sometimes she is surprised, but that
makes no difference. Last comes the mar
rage, and the agency reaps It's reward.
1t is generally acknowledged in France
that the marriage bureau, whatever may
be its evils. is a necessary part of the So
cial system. Nobody, no matter how
loudly he calls for its Investigation, has
| ever advocated its adjustment With its
| facilities for acorr,r'ie-'-g the reIiahfl1ta.