New-York tribune., 1896-01-19
PROMENADING BY THREES.
-AMUsEMENTS.


There il little promenad!ng merely for the pleas
ure of going abroad to see and be seen, except in
the capital. Puerto Cabello has a small but pretty
public garden. shady. and with well-kept walks. at
the mouth of the harb)r. but few ladies ever stroll
there The Caracas Plaza. however. Is frequented
by many particularly on the evenings when an
execrable band perpetrates there its cacophon!c
crimes. And Sundays the throngs who v.s.t
the great pleasure park into which Guzman Blanco
transformed the Cavaro remind one OF the multi
tudes In -York's Central Park. But social Gus
toms do not favor promenading of the sort best
calculated for enjoyment. No lady ever promenades
unaccompanied with gentleman not her husband
Generally the promenadcrs are In trios-one lady
and two gentlemen. or two ladies and one gentle
manor In larger groups: In the iirst-nained com
bnation OF three one of the gentlemen seems in
tcrested while the other Is evidently bored OF the
second trio. lady Is quite certain to be elderly
and she walks In the middle II is all simple when
understood Social custom torDlds a gu or woman
to hold conversation. at home or abroad, even on
the open street or In a thronged public pleasure
ground. with n gentleman VINO Is not a relative
unless In the close presence Of some relative or a
chaperone of ample age and presumable discretion
slight modification OF this rule Is admiss.Ole-
rather in practice than in princlple-when the qres
tion Is. OF entertaining declared sutor \ girl
may Sit In ner dark parior at the heavily barred
window, and listen To loves whispers from young
man who stands In the street. and whose nose
barely comes up to the window sill Even then
guardian relative Is supposed to sit with her and
supervise the prfCceedngs but In practice & the
ally iniulgent enough 10 Withdraw. during at least
part or the tender interview, Is likely 10 aEect
sleep. Il would seem as IT, from the view point OF
the lover In the street that arrangement left much
to be desired. but use doth breed habit in "A man.
and the Venezuelan, conforming to the custom OF OF
his country, lel!ctates himself upon getting along
80 far as TO be received at the window, instead or
being constrained walking to and fro before the
beloved ones house. on the opposite side OF the
street, Ike a sentry for hours together-a sort or
pantomimc declaration OF intentions that Is APP
propriatey styled doing the bear"
The social fence about the Venezuelan young
woman is not actually taken down in Carnival time.
but the upper rails knocked Off. She is sup
posed to be 40 busy throwing graher and having
fun during the day that she is likely think OF
love: besides. every one Is masked then and how
should Pepe and Rosita know each other II both
wore masks? And In the ball. night. she dances
under surve!llance-though OF course. one may stop
waltZing moment on the side OF the hall opposite
where the chapcrone sits So 1t is not impossible
that when Lent puts up the fence agan 10 It's full
height she may have some cheering memories 10
mitigate the situation. And Pepe will return TO
standing at the window in the evenings. He will
go to church. too, on the mornings she does, and
though he may not speak to her then. for that
would be serious improperly he will at least