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(From Foreign Publications)

HYMENEAL AGENCY OFFICE.

The Court of Correctional Police at Paris was a few days since occupied in a case of rather a singular description. In the place usually occupied by criminals, stood a young woman of a most graceful figure, and whose dress was in the utmost degree recherche. Madame Houdard (the name of the accused) was no other than the presiding divinity at a celebrated agency office for marriages, which she had lately established in Paris, where she has out-rivalled several others in the same class. She has for some time been offering to gentlemen tired of celibacy, tender companions for life, ladies of known discretion and high respectability, gifted in a moral light with the most desirable qualities, and in the worldly sense, with marriage portions of from 100,000 to 500,000 francs; consequently it may be easily imagined how her office was beset with applicants. To believe her own account, she has brought about some of the most fortunate and advantageous matrimonial engagements. Her services, however, were not to be obtained gratis. In order to obtain her favor, and a place in her report, it was absolutely necessary to become a subscriber to her list for three months. By virtue of this subscription, entered upon beautiful rose paper, and a payment of 72 francs, Madame Houdard engaged to exhibit to the subscriber, for the space of three months, all the young ladies whose hands, hearts and fortunes, happened to be at her disposal. Her truly benevolent occupation was, however, interrupted by a disappointed wine merchant, who preferred a complaint against Madame, charging her with swindling. The complainant will be better understood in his own words: "I applied to Madame to procure me a wife," (said he with a half simple, half-sly look at the accused;) "she instantly said to me 'Ah, mon Dieu, Monsieur Lazard, you have just come in time: I have just what will suit you; there is now at my disposal a most lovely creature, a sweet young widow, who has lately buried her husband. She is related to an eminent counsellor, and is every thing a man can wish for. As to her fortune, c'est superbe! c'est magnifique! 150,000 to 200,000 francs, and a quantity of other property.' I immediately said I should wish to have all the particulars and terms. Madame told me that the first step was to become a subscriber, and pay 72 francs. This I complied with, but after waiting anxiously for some time, nothing was effected, and I was told a great deal of delicacy was to be observed in bringing the matter to a happy issue. At last I was invited to dinner, where the gay widow was expected to make one of the party. I went at the hour appointed, having taken care to dress in the best style. Shortly after my arrival at the office, a young female, elegantly attired, made her appearance and joined the dinner party. I subsequently discovered that this doctor's widow, this niece of a counsellor as she was described to me, was no other than Madame Aldegonde, a sempstress, and something worse. I soon had little doubt that Madame Aldegonde made a livelihood by lending her services on these occasions; but wishing to see how far the farce would be carried, I pretended to be anxious to bring matters to a conclusion. She made a thousand excuses and hesitated a great deal; and I at last received a letter which gave me to understand, in very plain terms, that my visits would not be acceptable after that period—that the counsellor, her uncle, wished to marry his niece to a gentleman in the Treasury." Mlle. Bonhomme, formerly servant to the accused, was called as a witness by the complainant. She stated, whilst she was in Mde. Houdard's service, she saw several gentlemen come to the house in order to get wives, and whatever gentleman came, the same lady was presented to him, and that lady was Madame Aldegonde. When two or three gentlemen happened to come at the same time, Madame Aldegonde after seeing one, made some excuse, and retired to another room, where Madame Houdard introduced her to another candidate. When the gentlemen went away, these ladies amused themselves, and laughed heartily at their expense, observing how many more fish were caught in their net. President.—Have you known any other person complain of having been deceived in this way? Witness.—Oh, several; and amongst others, a tall strapping sergeant-major of the Royal Guard. Madame Houdard said to him, upon his first application, "come Monsieur, turn about. I must examine your figure, in order to see if you will match the lady I have in my eye for you." The accused, on being called on for her defence, denied the charge altogether, declaring that she had effected several marriages among persons of great distinction, and whose names she would mention but from motives of delicacy, and if not prevented by the confidence reposed in her. The only thing that hindered the complainant's marriage, was the bad account which she received concerning his character, and therefore she was not surprised at his wishing to be revenged. With respect to her servant, it was the complainant who induced her to quit her place, and she heard that he had since been taking particular care of her. The Court, after some consideration, were of opinion that the facts did not amount to swindling, according to the meaning of the 405th article of the code, and discharged the accused. This young woman was so overjoyed at hearing her acquittal, that she fell into a swoon, and was removed from the Court in a state of insensibility.