Morrison

This action was brought to recover certain moneys, which it is alleged the defendant promised to pay to the plaintiff if she would use her influence in endeavoring to induce a certain person to marry the defendant, and should be instrumental in bringing about such marriage. It is alleged that, in consideration of said promise by the defendant, the plaintiff did endeavor to persuade said person to marry the defendant, and was instrumental in bringing said marriage about, and that the defendant has failed to keep her promise, and has not paid the money agreed by her to be paid.

The rule that a marriage brokerage contract is invalid, as being contrary to public policy, and that the services rendered under such contract are without legal consideration, and are incapable of forming the foundation of an action for their recovery, is so elementary that but very few cases involving the question have found their way into the reported decisions; but' whenever the question has been presented, courts have invariably declared that the action could not be maintained. (Story’s Equity Jurisprudence, sec. 261; 2 Parsons on Contracts, *74; Greenhood on Public Policy, 478; Williamson v. Gihon, 2…