The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-09-15

ing at stated intervals and seeing his prom
ised bride upon the opposite side of the
room, in the presence of the family. I'm
medlatelv thereafter they are legally be-
trothed, a solemn ceremony, duly witnessed
and recorded, almost as binding as marriage
itself, But still he is not allowed to see her
for moment alone, or to accompany her in
her walks or drives till after the matrimoni-
al knot is securely tied. The little formality
of getting acquainted and learning her
tastes and temper is deferred for connubial
bliss. No wonder there are so many faith
less husbands and unhappy wives in Next
co-but however unsuitable the union
proves to be, there is no release but death in
this Catholic country.
Perhaps this absurd social strictness has its
good features, but it certainly has its bad
ones Also in making the young people par
ticularly sly. Love laughs at locksmiths'
and chaperones tool L never saw such
desperate flirting in my life as here
and right under the nose of papas and duen-
mas. New York, San Francisco, Chicago,
Washington, are cloisters compared to this
same Plaza de Zarag9za. In this hot climate
it is the fashion to g6sto the cathedral very
early IN the morning, and of course the
young peoples route thereto always lies
through the plaza. Day after day, before it
is fairly light, the young men are seen I'm
gering around, like Glove among the roses, F"
awaiting the arrival of their respective dull
cineas. They glance and giggle but dare not
nod at each other, and silently each vital
spark" follows the object of his alteration in
to the dim old church, where, l venture to
assert, many kneeling YOUTH with eyes de-
vouty fixed, has worShpped living saint,
instead of dead ones. Truly, this plaza is a
charming spot, especially on summer nights,
when the moon is shining. When the air is
heavy with the breath of orange flowers and
jasmine, and the fountain is softly muir
muring, and the band playing its sensuous
southern melodies any saint in the calen-
dar, if living, would feel his pulses quicken
under the infuence-and perhaps be guilty
of little flirting tool
in the matter of education many improve
ments have been made in Mexico within the
last few years. Attendance upon the public
schools is compulsory, and the mo royal'
road to learning is entirely free. Facilities
are also given to young men who show an
aptitude for higher education in the Collegio
Civil, or State College of Nuevo Leon, where
they are graduated in the various professions.
This institution was founded by Governor
Vidauri, during his wise and prosperous adj
ministration. He did so much in this section
in the way of accomplishing needed reforms
that if anybody is to be worshipped as the
patron saint it should be he instead of the
mythical Guadalupe The Civil
College is domiciled in fine ed
ifice fronting the Cinco del Mayo
plaza. degrees are tuere conferred III law,
medicine pharmacy, civil engineering and
commercial studies. This State, in common
with others, has the privilege of sending schol-
ars to the celebrated national agricultural and
mining college, in the City of Mexico. Young
men DESTROYS of higher university education
go to France, Spain or.Germany for it Those
in search of medical education find it i'll
Philadelphia or Paris. If in a hurry for a
diploma they go to the former city, where
one may be obtained in two years. But the
Mexican authorities, like those of Canada,
have little confidence in Philadelphia parch-
ments, and subject the possessor to most
rigid examination before he is licensed to
practice upon "the human form divine"
On the other hand, diploma received in
Paris carries the holder through without
let or hindrance. FANNIE B. WARD.