Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-11
AT A PARIS WEDDING
Parents Arrange PreIininarleS
for the Couple.
START EVEN IN FINANCES
Family and Friends Are Strong on
Presents.
SIGN OF THE CRIMPING IRON
Details of the Marriage Contracts
Civil and Religious Ceremonies
The Benediction of Paris.
START EVEN IN FINANCES
SIGN OF THE CRIMPING IRON
Special Correspondence of The Star.

Special Correspondence of The Star.
PARIS. July %, 1906.
Suppose it is your wedding day-and you
discover that you do not want to marry?
Would you have the courage to say no.
and break up the wedding?
This is the hypothe ticaf question just now
agitating Paris. In the July-August we'd
ding season that comedies with the long va
cation it comes up in every conversation;
and the papers publish columns of opinions
on It from readers
The mass of replies seem to run: 81
should not dare to do it: but l should ap-
prove the hero COR the herone) who didr
There is more matter for discussion in this
question than appears at first glance. and
the type of this hero is the Vicomte de
Doudan. who. in the comedy of Triple
pate" by Tristan Bernard is over-per-
suaded by matchmaking friends up to the
point of the civil ceremony: but when the
mayor asks: Robert de Houdan. do you
consent to take for wife Yvonne Marie
Hcrbelier, here PRESENT. he answers:
Please excuse me; l cannot say yes at
present"'-and runs.
Doubtless the French tendency to car
range marriages gives extra point to the
controversy. II know a man so suitable
for your daughter" says a mutual friend
and states his looks. age. possessions and
girls mother. 81 know a girl Just right for
you" says the friend and states the figure
of her marriage portion: and IL the young
man in turn says: Let's see her." there Is
chance of marriage coming out of it. In
"Triplepatte" the vicomte and the girl he
sighted meet later. by chance alone-and
fall in love quite on their own account
Papa" says Yvonne in the last scene
elf bring you a fiance, will you accept him
from meas you were willing to from
others?'
Tendency to Give Girls Chance.
1t is looked on as very charming and
American: and. thanks to the leaven of
the American girl abroad. there is certainly
strong tendency toward giving girls a
chance to do their own choosing
Besides, love has a way of butting in.
Even the old-style French marriage, which
said:
Marry first and court her afterward.' %
did not say: Marry first and love after
ward" but rather:
Get engaged and learn to love"
The absence of love- as starter. need
not preclude deal of sentiment. The less
the couple know each other the more excit-
ing becomes the engagement period; and
the reflection that each is. so to speak in
the same boat arouses in generous breasts
such devotion. sympathy. gratitude and ad-
miration that might be expected from a
young and healthy couple finding them
selves alone on a desert island.
The island situation always ends In love
and marriage in the stories, and SO, In
France. does the marriage of reason"
based on suitability. obedience to parents.
the esteem of the world-and property.
Wise old customs constrain the young
engaged folks to love. During the entire
engagement period the young man must
send his hancee bouquet of white roses
every morning.
Then the institution of the corbeille goes
far In winning girls good will. Goethe
put II into the jewel scene of Faust
The engagement ring begins II. He should
never chance the choice, for some girls
fear pearls In that they foretell tears The
girl tells what she wants and the jewel
scene commences.
The corbeille is all and always jewels, the
first parure in diamonds, the second in
pearls or colors. Even In middle class fami-
lies the corbeille thus represents little for
tune. will give case for comparison. The
girl had $4,000 cash as marriage portion.
and the young mans father handed him
the same. That was to start even In