Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-12

Just now. or jeweled opera glasses or fans.
In comparison with the 'corbeille how
ever. they seem small things. and very
natural"
''The 'corbeille.' we understand. is the
collection of jewelry given to the girl by
the young man." 1 said.
That is the 'corbeille de marriage yes:
but the 'corbelle' simply means all the
girls new jewelry. In France we give a
great deal, according to the situation of the
parties. However modest the youths situa-
ton may be. he will always find a way to
give his beloved fine bracelet and a couple
Of pins with real stones. Diamond ear
rings are still given. though so seldom worn
except with the fullest kind of full dress"
Show Oh the Gifts.
But the parents don't confine their gifts
10 jewelry. surely" interrupted the Ameri-
can young man.
NO; they buy the furniture between
them-the two families. Other relatives
give fans, laces, silver ware. furs. cut
glass, and so on. All these gifts Except,
or course, the furniture) are exposed on
long tables the evening of the dance that
follows the signing of the contract
And they continue on exhibition until
the day of the religious marriage" said
the American girl
Il see you are posted" replied the elderly
Frenchman.
What seems to me the queerest is the
double wedding she answered. You are
always married twice are you not?'
Because of our troublesome politics. yes.
Inc republic Will not recognize the religious
marriage. 1t insists on controlling the
validity of the union. Therefore, the civil
marriage must be gone through, with all
its annoying production of pieces; that is
to say:
I'D A certificate of domicie (residence) of
at least six months. This for each party.
20 The birth certificates of BOTH
"(3) The signed and sealed acts of consent
nq fha 49,
French official will perform a civil mar
riage. This by the way accounts for the
Bohemianism of French life and many
other things, because young people often
They will marry later on. when she is
twenty-five and he is thirty years Of age
Meanwhile they are not unhappy, though
they go little into society.
20 The young man Of he be under forty
fve) must show his certificate of military
service. Officers and common soldiers must
also produce the written permission to
marry Of their superiors.
90 The act of the notary certifying that
he has received in deposit the marriage con-
tract-this in accordance with the special
law of July 10, 1850. If there be no con-
tract the young couple and their parents,
during the civil ceremony. must declare
the regime under which they marry,
whether of community of goods separate
Estates or so forth.
'(6 The certificates of publication OF the
banns, made at the mayors Office two
weeks previously
The Last Legalizing.
rs that all?''
Yes, except that all these pieces must
be legalzed by the president Of the civil
tribunal of the ward or the justice of the
peace of the county. AS to the civil cere
mony, 1t is short. Each party has two
Witnesses selected among relative or in
innate friends. And these witnesses must
always be invited to the lunch that fol-
lows the civil ceremony, no matter who
else is not invited. In return, they ought
to make gift of silverware. There are
very few guests. Four cabs often suffice.
The brides dress ought not be white; it
ought to be a simple and elegant calling
costume, not d tailor made. The ceremony
Is gone through in three minutes and after
leaving a $40 bill for the poor of the ward,
the youth takes his bride back to her par
ents-being now half-married"
'Half-married?"
Rather. l know of a case in which the
girls father died the evening after the
civil ceremony. What was to be done?
The girl was in strange position during
the two days following. Then they had the
religious marriage very quiet and sad"
STERLING HELLO.