Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-07-24
miscellaneous.
Mexican COurtship.

Mexican COurtship.
THE ROMANCE OF LIFE IN THE LAND OF
THE MONTEZUMAs.
| In this country it must. indeed. be true
that matches are made in heaven. for Mex
lean youth have few opportunities of per-
forming that pleasant business tor them
selves. Here senoritas are never permit
ted to 90 to balls or theatres. to drive or
promenade. or even to sit at home in their
own parlors with gentlemen who are not
their nearest kin, without the vigilant su-
pervision of mother, duena. or chaperone.
If our more matter Of-fact northern gen.
tlemen were accorded none of the priv
ileges of social propinqulnty, it is greatly
to be feared that an alarming increase of
old maidsm would ensue, and corresond-
ing decrease of matrimonial statistics.
But the cd. old story, as new and charm
ing to every modern lover as to the first
pair in Eden, will be learned by southern
youth, despite all restrictions.
When Mexican gallant fixes his af-
| fections upon girl, he has generally
greater probation and tribulation to under
90 before he can win her than the Bible
lover had who served seven years. OF
! course. he has no special acquaintance
| with her, and may not 90 boldly to the
paternal casa to cali upon her, so he
meanders back and forth before her win
dows. day after day, and night after night,
until he has succeeded in attracting her
attentions and ofthe whole neighborhood AS
well, if not that of the police, the family
bulldog, and paterfamilias' pistol. If the
damSels affections are not otherwise be-
slowed YOU may be sure she is not slow
to respond, for to her dreamy and mo-
notonCus existence romance comes as
a boon from heaven When she be-
upon him. he holder grows, and losses
bouquets between her easement bars
(when the old folks are not looking) with
billetdoux hidden in their hearts like
love among the roses. This is called
making The bear" why, | do not know,
except that those restless quadrupeds are
supposed to be constantly pacing to and
| fro.
Sometimes it is kept up for years. the
faithful Romeo being nightly found be-
meath his Juliet's window. She, secure
behind the cruel bars. or aloft upon the
balcony. leans forth in the moonlight,
smiling sweet responses to his serenades.
or renders him rapturous by improvising
a lovers telegraph from spool of thread
by means of which imprisoned messages
may travel between them. or bouquets
and other cages d'amour be hauled up.
One couple OF nv acquaintance have been
doing this sort of thing for six long years
The wedding day is no nearer than ever,
for this Romeo has never yet spoken to his
Juliet, or touched her tiny hand.
During these spooning DAYS it is aston
ishing how devoutlv religious the lovers
become, attending church constantly. and
their precious health likewise demands a
vast amount of exercise in the plazas, for
these are about the only places where by
any possibility they may meet. 1t is the
custom among these good Catholics to at.
tend mass very early in the morning, in
tact to go to church at all times and all
seasons. and the young peoples route
thereto invariably lie through the plazas
Day by day, from the first glimmer of
dawning. young men may be seen loiter.
ing in these flowery trysting places await.
ing the arrival of their Dulcineas. They
glance and smile but may not speak to one
another and silently each devoted swain
follows the maiden of his choice into the
dim old sanctuary. where, | venture ia
assert. many kneeling lover has wor
shipped living saint rather than dead
ones.
Even after couple are duly engaged
and the paternal blessing bestowed. which
happy climax is brought about by third
party, who negotates for the lover with
N 1adv tnt, =
permitted to see his Juliet for one moment
alone. He may call at stated intervals. if
the parents consent. and converse with
his fiancee in the presence of her family
but. although the formal betrothal is a
legal ceremony. duly witnessed as and
recorded. and almost as binding as mar.
riage itself. not until the hymeneal knot
is securely tied can he exchange one word
with her in private, or join in her peram-
bulations on the plaza, or attend her any,
where in public. Such trifling details as
ascertaining her tastes and getting ac-
quainted with her temper are reserved for
connubial bliss. However unsuitable the
union may prove, there is no release but
death under this 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 tor intimate
simultaneously before marriage.
In many Mexican cities it is customary
10 announce the engagement by printed
cards, similar TO those used for weddings,
funerals. and honras for the dead. Among
my numerous collection here is one in
faultless Spanish, which says that Senior
Don Mauro Narciso Sepulvedav Zarate
and Senorita Dolores Refugio Villasena
have contracted matrimony Ii. e.. are be-
trothed). and have the honor to offer
themselves su disposition de Vat the
readers disposal. In Mexido, as in Spain
and othern southern countries. lady re-
tains her maiden cognomen after marriage,
and though she attaches her husbands to
it, by means of a de. is still universally
known BY her own family name.
! Two separate and distinct ceremonies