Lynchburg Daily Virginian

FRENCH AND English Marriages.--In France marriages are conducted on a very different plan to those in England. On this side of the channel young ladies never choose for themselves, or, if they do, their choice must be approved of by their parents or guardians, as the law absolutely prevents the possibility of any marriage without the written sanction of paternal authority. To marry without this, which cannot be done under the age of twenty-five years, requires legal proceedings and formalities, which are generally repugnant to a modest lady. Few are to be found who will sue their own father, and expose themselves to three months' public notice, calling thus every body to witness their impatience.

I might here remark that elopements, or as they might be termed in English, "trips to Gretna-green," are out of the question in France because the young lady, in consequence of the above mentioned provision of the law, would perpetually remain under the imputation of having offended public decency.

It must, therefore, be well understood that no marriage can take place without the express consent of the parents. It may happen, and probably sometimes does, that parents abuse the power which the law has placed in their hands.--Le Marriage en France.