ENGLISH AND FRENCH MARRIAGES

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 87, 6 January 1908, Page 8

ENGLISH AND FRENCH MARRIAGES

■' V . —:■ ' > Madame. Sarali Grand has ontered the discussion liow going on in/the' columns of a London- nowspaper, as' : to wliother' English marriages should be "arranged," as is tho custom in Franco (wrote a. London corres- • pondent on September 20)., The authoress of "The Heavenly Twins" is sufficiently roman- | tie. to declare omphatically against this -plan. . What will bo oven more satisfactory to .most married people iij that she thinks that, marriage in England, as conducted oil present'lines, is far from heirig a Most of tho, miseries of married life, she considers, aro due to the; lingering effects of the system of'repression of women, which she suggests has been brought, about. by. the marriage , by arra'ngemejit, :as- in France, Where,, asks Madame Grand, do, you - see such unhealthy and. debilitated men,, women, arid children as under the French' systerii, where, also, sho bids us note, divorce has largely, increased ever since it was allowed in the country. "There is .only 'ono' way," says Madame Grand, "to make marriago a success—educate... Raise tho tone of society all round on the subject. Inspire* respect for marriage as ail institution, the duties of which are sacred, tho responsibilities heavy." , She warns lis ,to "Teach tho young that ecstatic state of being in love is a physical condition,. a transient state; .and.,warn . thorn to wait for woof that when it subsides thoy can.feel for"each other the deep and tranquil affection which alono is permanent." To this effection and this training, Madame Grand would havo those who intend to wed add the variecl| personal qualities'which, mate up what wo sum .' up under the gcneric title. of /'"'good nature." With these, marriage is as necessarily a success as without them—it is bound to bccomo intolerable to at least ono of tho wedded pair—so Madamo Grand at least.assures us, .and with some , show of reason. But what she stipulates for is in common! parlance "a large order"—too large, it .may bo, for tho average young man and ma'ideii in lovo to fulfil. i