MARRIAGE IN FRANCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4939, 20 January 1877, Page 2 (Supplement)

MARRIAGE IN FRANCE.

A correspondent of tho Melbourne Daily Telegraph, writes:—lt is maintained that the reason why there are so many separations in France—query, are there more than in other countries, where legal facilities exist fur ehi-ct-ing them ?—is owing to tho fact that young couples have no means of estimating each other’s temperaments till after matrimony. Perhaps this is true, but deferring courtship till after the wedding does not tho less compel the husband and wife from at once understanding tiie necessity of practically taking each other for better for worse. In France, a bachelor lias no opportunity for a tete-a-tete with the lady he intends to propose for. She is never absent from her mother’s eye an instant, whether in ball-room, promenade, or at church. A gentleman admires a young lady ; be makes inquiries, very frequently through an “ agency,” to find some respected and sedate lady acquaintance or relative of the family, to whom he explains his wishes and position. If thcilc be approved, he is introduced to the young lady and her family. Tiie notaries on botli sides are sot to work, au as to conclude the business in the course of three or four weeks. When accepted, tho young man asks permission of her parents to embrace his intended bride, which is granted, and till he receives her at the altar, they are. it may be said, never left alone together. The gentleman is expected to visit daily. If liia suit be declined, it is effected in the quietest manner, and every effort is then made to marry tho young lady at once. After the marriage ceremony, the bride and bridegroom call upon the aged relatives, who were not able to be present, and then they set i.tf for Switzerland or Italy. It is now becoming the custom to hold the banquet on tlio day of the celebration of tho civil ceremony, tlio religious portion takes place next day, and is the occasion for tho mustering an 1 presentation of the friends of both houses. The per.-ou who negotiates the marri go expects a present, more or less costly, according to the match, and is the firat to be called upon when the married folks return from their tour. French brides, as a rule, have fortunes, but these are well tied up, and not more than one third of it is paid down on the wedding clay ; the remainder becomes due on tbo death of the child’s parents, for in Franco parents never ruin or reduce themselves to start the children in life. The aim is to ever have the paternal home attractive, the better, to bind tho cliildri’n to it, although removed clsewh-re.