FRENCH MARRIAGES OF THE DAY.

Western Star, Issue 374, 21 August 1880, Page 9 (Supplement)

FRENCH MARRIAGES OF THE DAY.

There is no courtsh'p in a French marriage. It is a simple business affair, where the parents regulate ihe prosaic side, leaving the turtle doves during the space of four or sis weeks to have ceremonial interviews, for they are never left alone. Ordinarily marriages are preceded by a formal bringing together of the young people, which is arranged at the reception of a mutual friend, a concert, dinner, or a charity bazaar. When Marshal MacMahon was President. his balls were selected as a “lucky rendezvous," and he never failed to send invitations for that purpose when solicited. But the theatres are chiefly selected for the matrimonial preliminaries. The upper ten for this end choose the Grand Opera, the middle class and provincials lean to the Opera Comique. The lady is placed in the front row of the box, the gentleman is understood to be in the pit, using his glass. If, alter the survey, ‘-Barkis is willin’,’’ he arrives at the lady s box and begs to be introduced to her. Next day he formally proposes, and is accepted from that moment as one of the family. He commences his courtship by a present of an engaged ring, consisting of one or two pearls set in two diamonds The state ring is presented the eve of the marriage. It is sapphire, ruby, or emerald,, and must be ever worn with the wedding ring. Every day, for a month or six weeks, the future husband is to send a bouquet of choice flowers, later to be followed by his visit, and invariably white, tied with lace favours, or satin ribbions with her initials embroidered thereon, or some appropriate motto. If the families be very distinguished, the first person informed of the engagement is the Pope, and his telegraphic blessing secured for a fixed day. The mother or father, accompanied with their daughter, call on their relatives and friends, to announce the news. The mother introduces her future son-in-law to the most important relatives of the family. The four or six weeks that elapse before the celebration of the ceremony are devoted to the preparation of the trousseau, and the execution of the marriage deeds. The bride must at least nave twelve robes, and as many dozens of articles of underclothing ; hats and bonnets are assorted to the Costumes. For travelling the costume is very simple; jupe and tunic in English woollen, check pattern, corsage to match ; toque chiefly ornamented with crimp feathers. The lace in favor is Valenciennes. Alencon, and -Malines, and pearls are more fashionable than diamonds. The presents very according to the cheerfulness of the giver ; they are not now exposed like the contents of a bazaar. On the wedding day the bride should only wear the jewels given to her by her mother or husband, and the two mothers ought to be liberal in gifts of diamonds and fancy jewellery. Such is the manner in which, as Balzac says, “ Her Highness Woman ” makes her entry on the stage of life.—From a Paris letter.