ON THE HUNT FOR HUSBANDS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 418, 1 August 1908, Page 4

ON THE HUNT FOR HUSBANDS.

Girls who do not Believe In “ Feeding the Brutes.” Brussels, June 8. Twenty thousand persons, including at least 5000 impressionable bachelors, attended the annual fete given by the marriageable maidens of the little village of Ecaussi nes-Lalaing. The number of engagements resulting from to-day’s festivities has not yet been announced, but the reception committee of spinsters is convinced that this year’s “ haul ’ of bachelors will exceed that of last year. There seemed to be more eligible young men and more enthusiasm. •Splendid weather favoured the fete, which was held, as usual, in the old market - place. The spinster committee met all trains, and the bachelors, who came from all parts of Belgium and even from Germany, were given a cordial welcome. They were escorted through gaily decorated streets, and shown the various places of interest, special stress being laid on the importance of the Town Hall, where many Ecaussines maidens have been married in consequence of these annual fetes. Lunch was served in the open air, and the menu was very simple, by way of emphasising the domestic efficiency of the spinsters. It was as follows : Menu. Coffee. (Very poor coffee.) Martelles. (Locally made hard cakes, used afterwards as missiles.) On the conclusion of the luncheon, Mile. Baron, the 18-year-old president of the spinsters’ society, appeared on the balcony of a house over-looking the market-place, and delivered an address on the joys of matrimony, which was loudly applauded. The bachelors, some of whom had already lost their hearts, cheered wildly, and threw flowers and even martelles at the speaker in token of their approval. “ Make your choice, gentlemen,” concluded Mile. Baron. “ Marriage is a lottery, but in Ecaussines all the lots are prizes.” A ball took place this evening, and by the time the festivities were concluded a number of spinsters announced that they had found prospective husbands. -