MARRIAGE IN FRANCE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 224, 15 June 1908, Page 5

MARRIAGE IN FRANCE.

\ THE FORMALITIES 01? COURTSHIP;.: We will imagine," for the sake of argu-ment;-that a young Frenchman wishes to marry. : Perhaps lie has met .in society , a girl .who moots ■ with liis approval. • Per--Eaps he "has merely heSrd or ner as a suitable "parti;'' What" must he do P The first step iii the matrimonial game is to sound hor parents, by which diplomatic manoeuvre ho-learn3 whether the'v intend to-marry their ; daughter,-whether they have any other , ens' . gagemcht in view,-and last,; but not least, the figuro of the sum they propose giving \ : as a dowryrrdelicate" questions requiring tho • V utmost ;_tact!, fpf,shfouldthe Matter not come / up to his pxpectations, relations at this juncture are usually dropped. If," however, in tho sum mentioned his hopes-are realised, the suit is. continped with, renewed assiduity. ' Thenoxt 'linlc" in the chain is. the'"demande en mariage," a negotiation usually undertaken young man's nearest relatives, or, failing "these, by ; somo trusted friend of -his sfanyJy, for under 'no circumr stances is he permitted to proffer the request in person. The same rule holds good •t. ' for'. the "j eune■■-fille," no possible rxcuse be- ) - ing' warrant her -presence 'at » - such an-interview. ; |* These prelimiitaries satisfactorily arranged, i; the "pretendant," as he is nov/called, goes, j'"* chaperoned by both parents, io pay a formal. ' visit to the liidf "of his choice. This visit, ' which is in i*b!tlity a family .conference, coii- ? ,- stitutes the_ first official meeting between tho V . ' :■ happy pair in ttie presence of their respective families. If,rafter having thus met,-, tho young'.people'find - themselves mutually attracted, the-forthcoming marriage is an-nounced-.to .ffjends and relatives as soon'as ' possible., The'next-Train on the programme is the "diner do finahcialle," wnich takes place shortly after the first interview, and is considered to' b~ an, entirely, family function, strangers seldom , being'present. On his entrance, the , bridegroom, having -,presented a bouquet to his fiancee, produces tho-engagement ring,: which he places, with- . : ' deference on the third finger of her left hand, and, having dono so, is allowed in return; to the' bride-elect discreetly on the forelitpjd. At .dessert-the'engagement • is solemnljfeaunounced, and various toasts are excliangedifor their future happiness; But, though erigaged, the surveillance-ito which they are subjected is, never relaxed; and, to .;■■■ their wedding day, the fiances never address oach other in-,any other w'ay than as "Monsieur"' or followed by their Christian names. , --.--;--:- ■ The engaged girl-rarely goes oufc'withjhcir fiancee in;!! public, though an exception' l , : 'ip Eometimes'Jmade in favour of the play, hut • .. as in this case tho happy man to offer" his arm to his future mother-in-law, - . _ tho outing is usually devoid of charm 1 for'>th'e bride-elect. •; 5 ■ ", 7... -■ At length- ! the-fateful day draws near, and; thanks to tho praiseworthy efforts,of- loth parties,; the various papers without, which a marriage may not be solemnised are iorth- ' coming. Tho list is'aß'follows'irT-;'. ;

1. Birth 'certificates of both parties. ) ' . - 2. An act bearing the written consent;'of the parents;' or their death certificate . if v defunct.' .' i ' ■ . ; 3. Cartifiicates .delivered in. tho iprions register offices, whoreMo- approaching •Carriage should have beenjpublislied, and statins that these publications' have, taken place., • :4. A certificate of .residence frdm tbo'landlord of their locality. ;)/• 1 . y 5. 'Ccrtifiaate stating that the fiance has satisfied the! military authorities by one.year's : conscriptioif. .: 1 ' )j~ .6.'Tho death certificate of tho first nifc, should the indegroomibe a widower/1 7. If a njarriago cdptracfc .exists,JSj certili-,' cato from'ljjie lawyer:.by whom it.',wast drawn up. , J ■•'/. /- ..TKe papers exacted by the Church, are Jess complicated) and consist-of",!/" 1. The Acts .of 'Baptism. ancl ...Gonfirmation. . , / ?.■ r.-" : . v -'k 2#.; ' 2. Certificate giving: the date of i'their first confession. ' " . 'M' 3. A .certificate slating that Jffib banns have.been announced. ; . .4. the degreerOT:relationeliip or, the : season ,thoseii /for*/thS\ ? marriage . render it necessary.! : . Marriage at .the.^llegis{rar!s : place a day or two beforo : the ehurpS icoVeuiony. • In this .instance the parents idiffdctSoiwitnesses alone have "tho- privilege .bfjassi&ing.' Tho wife signs, (first ;' she to her husband, who, accepting it},;|ays: ".Merci, Madame,''/ Mndemoisello: '£lfi-i.a'ff6rm 'of' adi" dress being Abandoned fr^'.'thji^fnibmont.—. ' "Tho Lady !'/