MARRIAGE IN GERMANY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10628, 3 December 1910, Page 3 (Supplement)

MARRIAGE IN GERMANY.

Since the cry goes-up from so mjmy countries that there are not enohgh men to "go round" it is gratifying tohear that in Germany, at all events things ' are otherwise. Oji ' the 'authority of a German lady we arc told that' "an-average girl can always 'get the man she wants so long as she does not want anything too grand or expensive." In her own social circle she has only, to make her choice, and her mother does the rest.

. With the'slightest encouragement ion. the girl's part matters march rapidly forward. Twenty years ago a yoitng couple were never left an instant -to themselves iinltil they were actually: married. Nowadays the painful etiquette lias been, relaxed and the task of marrying thereby simplified. As long as she holds a tennis racquet the damsel may wander with her willing swain wherever, she- likes, and a Ski. tour up on the snow-covered hills ,is said to be an even more successful, matchmaker than a jrame of tenuis, jit . .sounds quite charming and so verysimple. . ■ ~ ■■ , On the other hand,the ballroom If as sunk out of sight as a matriinonial market." - In the first place, it is ■bad: form" to dance more than twice with ~ the same 'girl unless one is engaged'; in second place, : sitting out corners are, unknown, so that the young man nat.ur'ally feels that his chances are betftr out of doors, where his preference /is not observed by a dozen pairs of shatfp, watching eyes. ,■ ' And when : he has ascertained tjie | lady's sentiments, or perhaps we ought | to say when; she has made it plain to. him tliat he may-marry her, he -puts 911..; his top- hat : and frock -coat and' Sails <jn; 'her- ! "father, v explaining his prospects,., receivmg>a'n explanation of hers, and;il both give 1 satisfaction 'the great event of the betrothal comes off. v ■ _ • / - T?Kere : 'are'delightiftil'details concerning, the prescribed of the engaged couple', the German bridal trousseati,, and the civil and religious marriajp ceremony. ■ When the latter is con--eluded the- party returns to the bride's home, -and'then begins a festive meal which puts tlie German's power of stoic, cheerful endurance to the test. It is'a mighty -meal. The clergyman sits b£tween the "bride and. bridegroom and mates a speech in honor of the bride's family, and the father of the bride makes a speech iu honor of the bridegroom's family, and then come the guests, the ladies, everybody on Kn, till there is nothing left to toast except the wine itself. All this takes some hours, usually from three to seven and the "Stimmiing" rises from decree to degree, especially after the pointedly ignored departure of the, bride and bridegroom. The evening is concluded with a dance, and if many guests are staving 111 the house, and the bride's mother has enough strength left, there is what is called a "Nach Hocheit, a-second festivity, the day afterwards. It is inded a mighty affair; one might even say that from the mere non-Ger-man point of view it is rather too much of a good thing.