The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-08-28
MARRIAGES IN FRANCE
A SOCIAL INSTITUTION Is SOON
TO BE INVESTIGATED
Matchmaking Methods Of Some OF the
Marriage Bureaus in Paris-The
Matrimonial Agent

PARIS, July SO.--The French government,
being essentially maternal, is about to I'M
dertake 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 recognized
social institution, differing in many ways
from those of other countries. Many of
the agencies are in reality not regular
business establishments, but individual
matchmakers, who work entirely, or so far
as possible, without publicity. They are
mostly women of more or less standing in
Partisan society, whose husbands earnings
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 incomes. Some of them have
titles. Their intercession is usually known
to only one of the parties of 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 ar
agency here, but in drawing room which
II open only to persons who bring the high
est testimonials. I receive people, I in
troduce them. I unite their hearts, and
receive 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 rec
ognized by the police, although all pay
the same annual tax to the government,
and are subject to the same regulations.
Officially stated, the first category has for
male clients ruined noblemen and the bet
ter class of retired office holders" includ
ing diplomatists. The women are "re-
cruited from the ranks of the foreign COL
ony OF Paris, among orphaned heiresses
and the rich widows of manufacturers"
At agencies of this class nothing is paid
in advance by the applicant, but he must
agree, in writing, to pay after marriage so
much on his wife's dowry-ordinarily 5
Per cent. 1t often happens that both par
ties to the marriage are clients of the es-
tablishment, in which case the fee is raised
to or per cent-always out of the wifs's
dowry.
The clientele of the second class agencies
Il composed Of retired functtonaries less
highly placed, retired officers of the army
and navy and women of bourgeois fam
lilies In quest of husband little higher in
the social scale than their acquaintances."
In this class a deposit is required by the
agent. from 100 to 500 francs, which is al
ways 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 mast
In this class, according to the Prospectus
Of the best known establishment, there is M
liked price to be paid beforehand. ..rhs
percentage on the brides dot and tns
earnest money required are proportioned
upon the peculiarities and exgencies of the
case" In other words, the agency. once
In possession Of the woman's secret. prac-
tically levies blackmail without hindrance
It 10 really due to the abuses arising in This
kind Of AFFAIR that the government is driven