LOVE MARRIAGES FOR GERMANY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3381, 4 July 1927, Page 8

LOVE MARRIAGES FOR GERMANY.

TALENT, NOT TITLES

Marriage for love is to-day fast ousting the marriage for money that Avas the custom in Germany in pre-Avar days. Matrimonial agencies declare that in post-Avar Germany the large doAvry is a thing of the past, It Avas by no means rare before the Avar Fin- a bride to have a “mitgiff of T123.000 or so, Avbereas nowadays a \ming Avoman Avith toooo is regarded a.s an exceptionally good match. Th u young German of to-day in search of a really rich Avife of bis oAvn nationality can hope to find the partner of his dreams only among the daughters of German fathers who Pave made fortunes abroad.

German military glory is noivadays at a discount, and the social prestige that was formerly associated with the smart uni forms of the old imperial army lias departed. It Avas usually the privilege in the “good old days” lielore the Avar of the debonair but mostly impecunious German officer to lead home the giltodged bride Avbom lie had nor. infrequently sought Avith success in English and American homes, it is no longer the prerogative of the military to have first pick on the Gorma.n matrimonial market. The head of a Berlin matrimonial agency informs me Unit German fathers moav prefer to look tor a suitable husband for their doAvricd daughters rather among the ucav industrial talent of the country. A promising young engineer stands a much better chance of marrying money than a young lieutenant in the ReiclisAvohr. Counts and barons whose titles in days gone by used to make it easy for them to marry Avon Ithy girls, are now at a discount, the halo that surrounded a coronet having faded under the Republican Constitution. .Matrimony. I am assured, is again being Liken more serimisly by young people in the Fatherland.'and the hasty marriages that characterised the Avar oeriod aiuj the years immediately folloAving are innv few and far betAveon.

Certificates of health, a noteworthy innovation, are indispensable. It is now regarded as a matter of course that both parties lo the marriage should produce a properly attested medical certificate pronouncing them mentally and physically fit. Blindness is no longer regarded as one of love’s essentia! dualities, and the Teutonic Cupid is expected to have passed a severe examination in elementary eugenics bclore being entrusted with his liow.