THE MARRIAGE MART.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13983, 14 August 1909, Page 5

THE MARRIAGE MART.

MAIDS WHO SEEK HUSBANDS.

Two thousand bachelors from . all parts of Belguim, many from France, and some from Germany, swept down on the village of Ecaussines-Lalaing to find brides on Majr 31. It was the sixth yearly marriage mart as established by"ihe maids of Ecaussines, and the proceedings Were a great success? The men began to arrive early in the morning, and by noon they were arriv* ing in trainloads. ' There were all sorts and conditions of men. One man of seventy-two had travelled all the way from Luxemburg to find a wife, to whom he promised a dowry that would place her beyond want. There were tradesmen, clerks, mechanics, miners, and labourers. Gay banners of welcome, showing hearts pierced by arrows, were to be seen everywhere. At noon the bachelors were formally Selcomed at the gates of the village by le Spinster Committee. Last year's president and several members of the committee are now m>rried in consequence of the festivities twelve months ago, and others had been elected in their place. All marched to the Grande Place, where there was an open-air concert. The bands playing nothing but nuptial marches and love songs. At the close an adjournment was made to the town hall, where the young women took their places at tables on which stood bowls of pink roses, with such mottoes its "Hope on," "Love," "Be trusting," and "Have faith." A vacant chair was left beside each girl, and at a given signal the men with matrimonial intent made a rush to secure seats. Then coffee and a sweet cake were served, followed by a bon-bon tasting of liquorice. When this was over the lady president made a speech on "The Art of Pleasing Man," which was wildly applauded. Dancing in the open air ended the programme of the festivities. Hundreds of letters, many of them very amusing, weYte received this year from intending husbands. Some bachelors from France explained that they were young, good-looking, and earning £12 a month, and were anxious to find wives from Ecaussines, where the girls are famed for their good looks and quiet domestic liWi