10 THE VOYAGE OF THE JE ANNETTE. 



Such neutral interests as Mr. De Long enjoyed were 

 especially in need of protection by a United States 

 man-of-war ; for after all difficulties had been removed, 

 and the resolution taken at noon of March 1st to have 

 the marriage performed in the evening of that day, since 

 the bride's father was compelled to return to America, 

 fresh difficulties sprang up. Marriage in France is a 

 civil contract, and Mr. De Long saw the necessity of 

 securing the presence and services of General Glasgow, 

 the United States Consul. The consul, however, had 

 gone into the country, and for several hours the anx- 

 ious bridegroom was driving frantically about on a 

 search for him. General Glasgow, when he was at 

 last found, began to explain the formalities which were 

 required ; but Mr. De Long was too busy for any trivial 

 matters, and was off on the more important errand of 

 buying a wedding ring. The bride's family meanwhile 

 had secured the services of the Rev. George Washing- 

 ton, a clergyman of the Church of England. 



At eight o'clock a few guests assembled, and the 

 clergyman and consul were present. Everything was 

 in readiness when General Glasgow turned to the cler- 

 gyman and said : — 



" I suppose you have the proper authority to per- 

 form this ceremony. You know in France marriage is 

 a civil contract." 



" I have no authority whatever," he replied ; " but I 

 suppose that if you, as United States Consul, witness 

 the ceremony, the marriage will be legal." 



" On the contrary," said General Glasgow, " con- 

 suls have no power to marry or witness marriages on 

 French soil ; the United States Minister at Paris is the 

 only person having such authority. This marriage can- 

 not proceed ; it will not be legal." Here was a sore 



