Year: 1864

amusement, when, if the question of mar
rage arose-say to q young man Of equal
birth and education, but who had his way
to make in the world-the father of the
young lady could rarely pay any money
down. 1t was even doubtful if he could
make her an annual allowance hardly
ever one commensurate with the style she
had been accustomed to live in. In all
probability younger child's portion would
be hers when her father died when eth
er the two lovers had given up all thoughts
of uniting their fates, or when perhaps they
no longer needed it, having had force of
character enough to face poverty together,
and had won their way upwards to COM
retence. The tardy five or ten thousand
pounds would have been invaluable once,
that comes too late to many a one; so
they said. They added that the luxurious
habits of English girls, and the want of
due provision for them on the part of their
fathers, made both children and parents
anxious and worldly in the matter Of we'd
lock. The girls knew that as soon as their
fathers died they must quit their splendid
houses, and give up much of those habits
and ways which had become necessary to
them; and their parents knew this like
wise; and hence the unwomanly search
for rich husbands on the part of the moth
ers and daughters, which they maintained
the existence of in England. Now said
our French friends, look at household in
our country in every rank it is the Gus
tom to begin to put by marriage portion
for girl as soon as she is born A faith
er would think he was neglecting duty
if he failed to do this just as much as if
he starved the little creature. Our girls
are brought up simply; luxury and ex-
travagance with US belong to the married
women. When the daughter is eighteen
or twenty, good father begins to look
about him, and inquire the characters of
the different young men of his acquain-
tance. He observes them, or his wife
does 80 more efficiently; and when they
have settled that such youth will suit
their daughter, they name the portion they
can give their child to the young
mans father or to some common friend.
In reply they are possibly informed that
Monsieur Alphonse's education has cost so
much that he is now an avocat in fair
way to earn a considerable income, but at
present unable to marry unless the young
lady can contribute her share, not merely
her pin-money, but bona-,fae share to-
wards the joint expenses of housekeeping.
Or he is the son of man of property
property somewhat involved at present,
but could it be released from embarrass-
ment by the payment of an immediate
sum of money, his father would settle
certain present income upon the young
people, and SO on. My friends said that
there was no doubt whatever, thati if, after
these preliminary matters of business were
arranged, either the young man or the
girl did not entirely like each other on
more intimate acquaintance, the proposed
marriage would fall through in the msjori-
ty of French families, and no undue in
fluence would be employed to compel
either party into what they disliked. But
in general the girl has never been allowed
to be on intimate terms with any one till
her parents choice steps forward and is
allowed by them to court her notice. And
as for the young fellow, it has been easy
for him to see enough of the young lady
to know whether he can fancy her or not,
before it comes to the point when it is
necessary that he should take any individ-
ually active steps in the affair.