Sharp County record., 1885-07-02

tldu uCdu OuCS'
And then in those same plazas on
moonlight evenings, when bands play
and all the town turns out among the
roses, Juliet IS certain to be there,
securely hedged and guarded by reia-
tives, but her starry eyes betray the IN
ward query: Romeo! Romeo! where
fore art thou Romeo?" grow ten.
der at his approach. Round and round
they promenade, the ladies always IN
one direction, the gentlemen in the
other, so that they are continually
meeting; and though this fruitless pan
tomime seems to us rather unsatlS-
factory, it is to be presumed that
heart answereth unto heart, as deep
calleth unto Deep the same as when
we old fogies were young and silly;
Truly these plazas are delightful
places, and the universal Mexican Gus
tom of walking much within them is a
most charming one When the tropic
air is heavy with the breath of orange
blossoms, the fountain softly murmur-
ing, and the band rendering sensuOuS
airs by the light of southern moon,
any saint in the calendar, were he liv-
ing, would feel his pulses quicken un-
der the influence.
Even after couple are duly en-
gagged and the paternal blessing be-
slowed, which happy climax is brought
about by third party, who negotiateS
for the lover with the young lady
/ family. Romeo is not permitted to see
his Juliet for one moment alone. He
may call at stated intervals, if the
parents consent, and converse with his
tiancee in the presence of her family:
but, although the formal betrothal is a
legal ceremony, duly witnessed and
recorded, and almost as binding
as marriage itself, not until the by
meneal knot is securely tied can he
exchange one word with her in private,
or Join in her perambuat ons on the
plaza, or attend her anywhere in pub
lie. Such tritiing details as ascertaining
her tastes and getting acquainted with
her temper are reserved for connublaI
bliss. However unsuitable the union
may prove. there is no release but death
under the Catholic regime, which makes
divorce impossible. Naturally domestic
tragedies sometimes occur, but truth
cOmpels us to admit that they are far
more rare than in our own land, where
every opportunity is afforded for intimate
acquaintanceship before marriage The
reason eS in the different education of
the weaker sex. Girls are not cultured
up to the BOstonian point in occult
sciences, but the utmost limit of their
learning is little music, a smattering
of drawing, and perhaps language or
two besides their own. Their dainty
fingers can execute maryelS of lace
work and embroidery, and sometimes
can fashion their own garments; they
are thoroughly conversant with the
lives of all the saints and saintesSes and
the minutest details of church require
ments; they can repeat yards upon
yards Of catechism AMI 0rtS0ReS, and
have been carefully nurtured in the
idea, which has become part of their
men al being, that the chief end of
woman is to be obedient and submissive
wives, and that upon them devolves the
pious duty of performing all the pl ayers
and penances that may be needed to
win Heaven grace for their sons and
husbands. Their gentle hearts, more
over, are by nature filled with warmest
tenderness and womanly devot' on, and
the husband must be brute indeed if
he can not manage such better half
who never dreamed of rebellion.
In many Mexican cities tits customary
to announce the engagement by printed
cards, similar to those used for we'd
dings, funerals and honras for the dead.
Among my numerous collection here is /
one in faultless Spanish, which says
that Senor Don Mauro Narciso Sepul-
yeda y Zarate and Senorita Dolores Re-
tugio Villasena have contracted matri-
mony Il. c. are betrothed) and have
the honor to offer themselves q su dis
p0StctOn de V-at the readers disposal.
In Mexico, as in Spain and other South
ern countries, lady retains her maiden
cognomen after MARI age, and though
she attaches her husbands to it, by
means of a de, is still universally known
by her own family name.
Marriage here means the expenditure
of more money than the average youth
can acquire before his salad days are
safely over. Here, as elsewhere,
bachelorhood becomes chronic if too
long indulged, and few afflicted with it
till after middle age care then to brave
the perils of matrimony. Therefore
Mexico is full of eligible unmarried
men, and the surplus women of New
England can not do better than migrate
.hither. According to Mexican custom,
the prospective bridegroom must not
only furnish house beforehand, but
must purchase all the wedding trous-
scau. even to remoteSt accesSions of
toilet, which may be needed in years to
come. He is also expected 10 make
gifts to the bridesmaids the bride
! family, and all Immediately concerned,