Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-27
MARRIAGES IN GERMANY.
Betrothal and Ceremony-Awe-1n.
spring Wedding Feast.


There are many good things in Miss
Wylie's volume. She is in her most OPP
timistic' mood in the chapter on Mar
riage-Before and After and since the
cry goes up from so many countries that
there are not enough men to go round
it is gratifying to hear that In Germany
at all events things are otherwise. On
the authority of a German lady We are
told that IAN average girl can always get
the man she wants as long as she does
not want anything too grand or expen-
sive'' In her own social circle she has
only to make her choice, and her mother
does the rest
With the slightest encouragement on the
girls part matters march rapidly Tor
ward Twenty years ago young couple
were never left an instant to themselves
until they were actually married. Now
adays the painful etiquette has been re-
Taxed, and the task of marrying thereby
simplifled.
damsel may wander with, her willing
swain wherever she likes. and ski tour
I'D on the SnoW-cOvered hills Is said to
be ali even more successful matchmaker
than a game of tennis. 1t sounds quite
charming and so very simple.
On the other hand. the ballroom "Eas
sunk out of sight as a matrimonial mar
ket' In the first place. it is bad form
to dance more than twice with the same
girl unless one is engaged; In the second
place, sitting out corners are unknown.
SO that the young man naturally feels
that his chances are better out OF doors.
where his preference Is not observed Ey
dozen pairs of sharp. watching eyes
And when he has ascertained the lady's
sentiments, or. perhaps, We ought to say
when she has made it plain to him that
he may marry her, he puts on his top
hat and frock coat and calls on her faith
ar, explaining his prospects, receiving an
explanation of hers, and If both give sat
isfaction, the great event of the betrothal
comes off.
There are delightful details concerning
the prescribed behavior of the engaged
couple, the German bridal trousseau and
the civil and religious mar. iage cere-
mony When the latter is concluded the
party returns to the brides home. and
then begins festive meal which puts the
Germans power OF stole. cheerful en-
durance to the test. 1t is mighty meal,
an awe-inspiring meal, really awful
meal. The clergyman sits between the
bride and bridegroom and makes a speech
in their honor. Then the fathe of the
bridegroom makes a speech in Eonor Of
the brides family, and the father of the
bride makes a speech in honor OF the
bridegroom family, and then come the
guests, the ladies. everybody en- fin till
there is nothing left to toast except the
wine itself. All this takes some hours.
usually from 3 to {, and the Sttmmung
rises from degree to degree. especially
after the pontedly ignored departure If
the bride and bridegroom. Tie evening
is concluded with dance, and il many
guests are staying in the house. and the
brides mother has enough strength left.
there is what is called "Nacn Hoch-
zeit,' a second festivity. the DAY after
ward.
1t is indeed mighty affair: one might
even say that from tie mere non-German
point of view it is rather too much Of a
good thing.