Evening journal., 1898-12-12
THE FAMrLlY IN rRANcE-


THE FAMILY IN FRANCE.
The one great centre wherein French
characteristics are found in their sim
pie, genuine truth is in the family as 1t
groups itself round the family head at
the two important meals Of the day.
Here are to be found at the same table
the children and their wives, with the
grandchiidren, and on feast days and
holidays the more distant relations. all
bent on paying homage to the old peo-
Pile, who represent the patriarchs of
this homely gathering. Here all are
equal, but all bend to the will and law
Of the head of the house, and no
stranger gains admfttance before (and
by the dictum of the family he is
pronounced to be worthy Of a seat at
the family table. "Votre convert est
mis-" means that, come when you like,
a place is reserved for you, and it
means even more. for 1t signifies that
from the moment the sacramental
phrase has been pronounced the prefix
Monsieur" need no longer be insisted
on before your name, but you are
henceforth styled "Tami" To gain
this favor, however, involves submits
sion to the despotic requirements Of
the patrialchate and readiness a prior
to find alI cpinoins erroneous which
differ from the current views held and
expounded by the Older people in the
charmed circle.
We have seen this not only in aristo-
cratic circles, but among the ordinary
peasantry, despite NJ. Zola's disgusting
descriptions OF that industrious class
And what does it all portend? That
pride at home. confidence and reliance
in their immediate belongings, and re-
spect for the head of the family, being
the prime levers OF French existence,
love OF country or patriotism, union OF
strength or advances, equality for ALI
but one, or the instinct Of monarchy,
are the foundacons Of nationality
which is READY to sacri@se all for
France, and relics upon dts friends to
help them to make her great, whether
under a king or a president, provided
all tho subjects enjoy equal rights
II these are weil understood they
further explain at once how France,
non -poliu.ea9 France, as the national
home, is cherished like the private
homes Of its inhabitants, how the
state mAy be strongly supported, by
whatever political appreciation it Is
known, provided it ensures peace and
contentment to that vast agglomera-
ton OF indtyidual families which con-
stituse the nation, and how strong a
government, ,whethermonarchica or re-
publican, can feel which is backed, net
II by votes at elections Of representatives,
but by the ''coneeEs generaux," which
generally comprise all the principal
heads Of patriarchates in the several de-
partmeuts Of France Jealous of their
own characteristics, and, therefore, SHY
of foreign institution, the French never
have taken, nor never Wit take, kindly
to the parliamentary form Of govern
ment Of which We are SO proud. MT
Bodlogs instructive pages TEEN with
lreasons why this is SO, but the real Sc
cret lies in the simple fact that th'
families Of France, being disinclinee
! IN -erl1srfzp anv one INIT their OWu
heads or patrarchs as their reDresenH
ahves, smp.y ridicule the idea Of any
body else being chosen to usurp uh'
, place OF the heads in legislative as
sembly. and this, in turn, points to th'
- reason why the Chamber Of Duputie'
in ordinary umes is not only quite tn.
least representative assembly OF an'
existing in the word, but becomes tn
one great centre Of French medioc
I Nineteenth Century.