Year: 1878

The Frenchman, when he has made
up his mind to marry, is really lovable,
if not exactly by the object of his choice.
1t brings out all the hidden fra1kness of
bis nature. There is no beating about
the bush with him; ne announces his
intention to all the world, at least to all
whom 1t may concern, to-wit, the old
ladies. He 1ays his situation before
them with modest confidence, and, in
doing so, of course, gives the personal
attractions on which he must necessarily
be silent an opportunity of speaking for
themselves. He Is explicit as to his
age, his family, his means, particularly
as to his MEATS. He has so much, and
he wants so much to add to it, with all
the youth, beauty, wit and good sense
that can be thrown in by way of bonus.
viii the old ladies be good enough to
bear his case In mind, and to look out
for him among their numerous ac-
quaintancesf Of course they will; they
could not have more agreeable COM
mission 1t is deed of mercy that will
be twice ble5sed-to the girl that wants
husband, to the mai that wants wife.
They tell him he may consider the mat
ser as settled; it is in their hands.


After that he has only to show a
proper assiduity in eailing---to look in
upon these honorary commission agents
from time to time for the tip" while
they proceed to pass all their eligible
feminine acquaintances in review. They
make all the requisite inquiries as to
means, and connections, and eontriye
accidental meetings, at which he
may have a view of the wares.
ssBon jodf, Monsieur! j'ai songs
votre petite affaire.'' When you hear
that said at a morning call yot: krow what
it means. The hurried colloquy in tie
back drawing-room that follows is like
wise no mystery; the good old creature
is giving him few main particulars, and
"the office" for tomorrow night.
There is to be little soiree, and he Is
not to fail to be there, for she, the cam
didate, is invited. In plain terms,
he to come and see if she
will do. 1t is an inspection. All that can
be learned by mere report he knows-the
candidate is up to the mark in family
and fortune; other needful particulars
as mind and manners can only be OBJ
tanned at the interview. She, on her
part, or rather her mother for her, has
| likewise had the tip from the same
friendly quarter. Are they not the
most methodical people in the worldP


She either pleases or does not please.
In the former case, the fathers call on
one another, and then the notaries; in
the latter there is no harm done. Moth
ing has been said to compromise them
before each other or before the world.
| II they met, "'twas In crowd" and
| he did no more than ask her opinion of


picture or of the new tenor at the
Italiens. He is expected to divine from
her monosyllabic answers to these
questions what kind of companion she
would make for a life-journey, how she
would stand by him in sickness and in
health, in riches and in poverty, until
death do them part. No; not in riches
and in poverty, though; he obtained
satisfactory assurances as to that part OF
the prospect before he ran the risk OF
falling in love. They are practical
people to the last.


When all is arranged, they begin to


make love, with a mother or some elder
ly friend to keep them company. They
people sayP Worldly minded mothers
find this tete-a-tetc of three great nuis-


ance it keeps them at home, and they


will often complain that the young


fledglings talk an unconscionable time.


There can be nothing else to censurei il


is the discreetest billing and cooling


ever witnessed since birds were birds.


In its widest excesses it never goes be-


yond a giggle; and if hands do meet


occasionally, it is only under the cover


of book, which perhaps, if we come to


the strictest necessities of the case, one


II of hnr


have been known to leave the room fol


a moment on pretense of looking for 8


letter; but in theory, at least, they are


always there. All is in consequence


fair and above-board in French court


ship. You may ''assist'' at it if you are


friend of the family. 1t is enough te


leave corner sacred to the lovers


they are not like our unreasonable
young people at home, who require {


whole forest to themselves and a new


moon to light it every night. They arr
simply two in drawing-room, and i
is, of course, polite fiction to consider


them but as other two. If the onlooke
be a philosopher, the situation ]:
not so dull for him as Nigh
be supposed. He sees a mos
exciting drama going on under tn
terms of ordinary social intercourse
Now they are quarreling; now they ar
making it up; and there has hardly bee
a sign to show for it to any but the mos
experienced eye; "ballet of action
could hardly be greater puzzle as
; means of telling a tale. That curt, low
l toned " Non, monsieur!" was really a
Indication of a veritable " tempest c
!. the heart;" and when she walked owe
! to the side-table and took up the album
: it was to give him to understand for
. full five minutes that she was biddin
him an eternal adieu. His subsequer
: observation about the charity ball wa
4 really a passionate plea for forgiveness:
. Her rejoinder that such festivities gav
. her the nmgraine was meant to be take
i as the death-knell of hope. The inter
>. est of the little comedy is greatly il
creased when third character is adt


ed, in the shape of a mother eager ft
: the match, who sends admonitions, Ell
treaties, reproofs to the girl, under Coz
er of the most ordinary gestures. +" NJ
: dear child, do not be an IDIOT" Th;


was plainly the meaning of the loo


over the edge of the fan. Now yo


have lost himp" She said that i'll drol


ping the book. "What will your fath'
a sayP'' The question was never mol
IS plainly asked in the form of complain
3. about the heat of the fire.


e The Frenchman about to marry pu
i up with all this, because he knows it
e not to last long. Three weeks or so wi
e see the end of it; engagements seldo
IS drag on far beyond that term, because
n the intolerable ennui of the season
l. courtship. Immemorial custom, to
d counts for something in his acquiescenc
W 1t was ever thus with father and for
3. fathers, in so far as he can learn al
g thing of the matter. Nothing can 9
n ceed his embarrassment when Il


chances of the marriage-market thro


him into family, English or Americs
10 Especially American), in which he
ID expected to make real love. 1t perple
10 % ;rrit atns frinhtens him. and VIII