Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1885-05-03

mo vounc men may be seen lettering IN
Ehese ilowery trusting places awaiting 'ne
arr;yal of their Dulcineas. They glance
and smile, bat may not speak TO one an
other. and silently each devoted SWAN rol-
lows the maiden Of his choice into the dlm
Old sanctuary, where ! venture to assert
many q kneeling lover has worsmPpeo
living saint rather than dead ones.
Aud then in those same plszas on moon
light evenings, when bands play and Gil tne
town turns out among the roses Juiet Is
certain to be there, securely nedsed anu
guarded by relatives, but her starry eyes
betay the inward query, Romeo! Romeo!
wherefore art thou RomeoY and grow
tender at his approach. Round and ropaa
thew promenade, the ladies' always IN one
the gentlemen in the other, so tnat
they are continually meeting; and though
his fruitless pantomime seems to us rather
it is to be presumed taat
heart aDswereth unto heart, as deep cal'etn
unto deep" the same as when we old foSles
were Young and silly, Truly these plazas
are delightful places, and the universal
Mexican custom of walking much with
in them is q most charming one. when the
tropic air heavy with the breath OF orange
blossoms, the fountain softly murmurlug and
the bani,rendering sensuous airs blythe hight
of a southern moon, any saint IN the caien-
Gar, were he living, would feel his pulses
quicken under the influence.
Even after a couple sreduly engaged aud
the maternal blessing bestowed, which happy
elm ak is brought about BY third party
Who negotiates for the lover with the young
lady's family, Romeo is not permitted to
see his Juliet for one moment alone. lie
may call at stated intervals, If the parents
consent, and converse with his tisnce IN the
presence of her family; but, although the
formal bethrothal is legal ceremony, duly
witnessed and recorded, aud almost as
binding as marriage itself, not until
the hymeneal knot is securely
tied can be exchange one
word with her in private, to join
in her perambulations on the plaza, o. at
teId her anywhere in public. Such trlitng
details as ascertaing her tastes and getting
acquainted with her temper a'e reserved
for connubial bliss. However unsuitable
he union may prove, there is no release bat
death under this Catholic regime, which
makes divorce impossible. Naturally, do
mestic tragedies sometimes occur, but
con pels US to admit that they are far more
rare than in our own land, where every
opportunity is afforded for intimate
mountaineering before marriage. Tne
reeson lies in the different education OF
the weaker sex In Mexico there are no
strCng minded females, no grssping after
uuattaiuable spheres, nor striving for rights
which include the wearing of unmention-
ablts. Girls are not cultured up to the Bos'
touian point in occult sciences, but the ut
nest limit Of their learning is little music,
d smatteriug of drawing, and perhaps Ian
gusge or two besides their own. Their
dainty fingers can execute maryels o. lace
work and embroidery, and sometimes can
fas hion their own garments; they are thor
Oughly conversant with the lives all tn
saints and saintesses and the minutast de-
tails OF church requirements; they can re
De- at yards upon yards of cstechism aui orr
sores, and have been carefully nurtured in
the idea, which has become part Of their
mental being, that the chief end Of woman
is to be obedient and submissive wives. and
that upon them devolVes the pious duty o.
performing all the prayers and penancet
that may be needed to win heavens grace
for their sons and husbands. Their gentle
hearts, moreover, are by nature filed with
warmest tenderness and womanly devotion
and the husband must be brute indeed i
he cannot manage such better half, VIII
never dreams OF rebellion
In many Mexican cities it is cls:omarV
to announce the engagement by pslntec
cards, similar to those used for weddings
funerals, and honras for the dead. Among
my numerous collection here is one IN fault
less Spanish. which says that Senior Dor
Mouro Narciso Sepulveda y Ysrate anc
Sonora Dolorese Refugio Villssens have
contracted matrimony Ii E., are betrothed)
and have the honor to offer themselves ST
disposition de vat the readers disposal
In Mexico, as in Spain and other southern
countries lady retains her maiden cogno
men after marriage and though she sttsche
her husbands to it, by means OF a de, i
still universally known By her own tamil.
name.
Marriage here means the expenditure o
more money than the average youth car
acquire before his salad days are safely over
Here, as elsewhere, bschelorhood becomes
chronic IL too long INDUCED, and few attic:
ed with it till after middle age care then L
brave the perils of matrimouy. Therefore
Mexico is full Of eligible unmarried men
and the surplus women OF New England
cannot do better than migrate hither. Ac
cording to Mexican custom, the prospective
bridegroom must not only furnish house
beforehand, but must purchase all the wed
ding trouSseau, even to remotest sccessionE
of toilet which may be needed in years e
come. lie is also expected to make gifts tc
the bridesmaids, the brides family, and al
Immediately concerned. besides deirsying
the expenses OF wedding festivities. 1t must
be remembered that everything costs enor
mously here as compared to our prices
household furniture and goods Of all kinds
being imported at great expense in trans
portation, as there are comparatively nc
manufacturers and few railroads., and the
duties are simply outrageous
Fortunately for the grooms depleted
pocketbook, there is no going of on wed
ding tours, the presence Of anything bu
stage or mule transit being of too recent
date to have established fashion for such
toohshness. Two separate and distinct cere
monies are required to satisfy the demands o.
both State and Church. That Of the latter
is an exceedingly long and tedious rite. du
ring the progress Of which the contracting
parties are obliged to kneel many times, and
while in that position heavy rope OF white
silk, firmly tied in true lovers knot, /:
thrown over their shoulders, symbolizing
bymeneal bondage. l have never seen OF
heard of bride belonging to the better
classes in Mexico who was not married IL
white silk or satin, with the traditional veil
orange blossoms and al, and doubt whether
one would consider herself lawfully welded
if otherwise attired, for there must be nc
deviation from established custom, even
though the parties are poor in all save good
family. True, the frightened Romeo gene
rally manages to put his foot through the
veil while she struggles with the entangle
mont of her delicate drapperies in kueehng