The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-08-07
MARRIAGES IN FRANCE.
Il SOCIAL INsTTTUTION ABOUT TO RE-
INVESTIGATED.
Matchmaking Methods of Some OF tho Mar.
riaGe Bureaus in Paris-Placs of the Mat
imonia Agent In French Socioty-The
Cntechism for Candidates for Rich WiNes.

riaGe Bureaus in ParIs-Placo of tho Mat
rimoniaI Agent In French Socioty-The |
Cntechism for Candidates for Rich wives.
PARIS. July 3o.-The French Government.
being essentially maternal, even to the point
OF supervising the engagement Of wet
nurses, IL about to undertake an inquiry
into the workings OF the marriage bureau.
The subject is an interesting one, for the
reason that the marriage bureau In France
Is q 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
TO hear in France that they are regarded by
people eminently respectable IA a social agency
entirely legitimate and often praiseworthy, 80
much 30. In fact, that their intermediation is
sought in a very large percentage of the matri-
monial affairs OF what must be called, 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 individual matchmakers. who work en-
tirely. or so far as possible, without publicity.
They are mostly women of more or less stand
ing in Partisan society. whose husbands earn
ings are not sufficient to enable them to main
tain the position they desire. and who. through
the commissions they receive as marriage
brokers. manage to make very comfortable in
comes. Some OF them have titles. Their in
tercession is usually known to only one OF the
parties to a marriage. and they are. of course,
exceedingly discreet.
Monsieur" say these women when a man Is
recommended to them. you must always re-
member that you are not in an agency here.
but in a drawing room which is open only to
persons who bring the highest testimonials. 1
receive people, l introduce them. I unite their
hearts. and l receive my commission; that
is ALL"
But while these matchmakers arrange many
marriages., the regularly licensed marriage
brokers do the bulk Of the business. There
are three classes Of them recognized by the po-
lice. although all pay the same annual tax to
the Government. and all are subject to the
same regulations. Officially stated, the first
category has for male clients ruined noble
men and the better class OF retired oficehold-
ers.' including diplomatists. The women are
" recruited from the ranks of the foreign colony
of Paris. among orphaned h~eiresses and the
rich widows Of manufacturers" At aRencies OF
this class nothing is paid in advance by the APP
plicant. but he must agree, in writing, to pay
after marriage. so much on the wife's dowry-
ordinarily 5 per cent. It often happens that
both parties to the marriage are clients OF the
establishment; In which case the fee is raised
to Z or 8 per cent. always out OF the wifc's
dowry.
The clientele OF the second class agencies is
composed OF " retired functionaries less highly
placed. retired officers Of the army and the
navy. and women OF bourgeois families in quest
OF a husband a little higher In the social scale
than their acquaintances." In this class n de-
post 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 specially Of arranging marriages
for women with a past. In this class. accord
ing to the prospectus of the best known estab-
lishment, there is no fixed price to be paid be-
forehand. THE percentage on the brides dot
and the earnest money required are proper
toned upon the peculiaritles and the exlgen-
cies of the case" In other words, the agency.
once in possession Of the woman's secret, prac-
tically levies blackmail without hindrance. 1t
is reallytdue 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.
These three classes OF agencies named in
clude most OF the marriage brokers. 1t has Of
ten 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
renumerative in this sort OF business. Within
a year or 80 q matrimonial exchange" has
been established by a number of well-known
people to provide free facilities for poor young
people in search OF mates. but it has not yet &C.
complished much. There are also three or
four Catholic agencies which. II not under the
care OF the Church, are at least countenanced
by IL in the interests OF morality. They are not
regular agencies. as they are connected 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 eX-
ceedingly strict In their requirements of a eli
e eRtl, NJ Most baHa al Of them stiiPnulate that the he man
well-known country family or a Government
official. This will be the more readily under
Ffrenehman does not seek the aid Of an agency
until he has no more money; 1t Is to revive his
s tGistuq qf t Ih'f b es %" cIass a 1e f Sniit on The he e sSms
m!odel Here are some OF the questions asked;
your T family i has hasa a chateau hat a1m name aau it. a" Have you
atitlei Any decorations? Give your genealogy
for % e %af y g yo%r e1a1t az asy y9u f ffn; of birth ?
What is the state Of your health? Give your
sSs eo hs!S & yoS sto Sait tgiq bald al n Sf ErGWin wbb aid y :
Describe your face as to shepes and complexion
!, sort2 Describe state OF your teeth. Are your
Where were you EDUCATED; and what is your
S%eRnntoW sTs your any p" FtSl9sg T YiceSs what PS y nTs
GiYESi , s2Rms i %cc SsWtn Of your MEds We're yGer they icy
3 Have you any fortune? What is the
amount Of your income, and its source2 Detail
. your possessions in land. houses. furniture.
pictures. horses, carriages, bonds or, stocks;
mortRages-in short all your possessions. of
4 whatever nature, and the amount you can de-
= pend upon for support. What are your expeeta;
y tions2 What is the amount OF your debts. and
q how much Of the amount may be discounted
What amount of these debts Is to be paid from
, your brides dowryp
u Give your preferences in regard to the per-
!, son with whom you seek to contract an al.
h lance. or what birth must she be; what sort
eyes? Wha! tastes ACCOMPLISHMENTS and edu;
amount that you require as dowry? In what
! IN cash. real estate. or securities2 Must she
Viii vi it I be Sufficient to have a. bart 4T in e esI"ts a
o tons? Where would you expect to live after
: mmarriage. city or country In what city