Evening journal., 1900-03-02
PORTO RICO coURTsHIP.
It is Carried on Under the createst
Difficulties.
(san Juan correspondence).


their continued subjection to parental
authority, even after Teaching years
of maturity, is n successful barrier to
anything sensational in contracting a
life partnership IN Porto Rico. No as
sociation is tolerated that may lead to
a mesalliance. and few opportunities
are afforded to create an attachment
without the full knowledge and con-
sent Of the heads of the family. The
only occasions upon which this may
happen are the larger social gather
ings, such as Mardi Gras balls and
dances at the Casinos Espanol. which
occur several times a year.
Young women are always surrounded
with a suitable guard Of chaperons by
day and night. After reaching a place
of social rendezvous the young folk are
allowed some liberty to promenade,
dance and chat together while those
charged with guardianship sit near and
take note of the proprieties. The at
tention of an inamorato to the object
Of his devotions must not be too ardent
nor too continuous; he must not dance
with her more than twice, nor hover
near long enough to excite comment,
which IS prone to be prompt and free.
Under these conditions the suscept-
ible young American who succunnbs TO
the witching glance of a sweet, soft
eyed senorita finds the paths Of love
anything but flower strewn. It requires
heroic walls Of bristling duennas and
| human walls OF bristling duennas and
l scowling matrons that guard the ap-
| breaches to her shy young heart.
After an engagement is announced
the conditions are changed. Hence
forth they can dance only with each
other. For centuries 1t has been de-
creed 10 be a flagrant breach Of pro-
priety for an affianced or married won1-
an to step through the mazes of the
dance with any other than her fiance
or husband. However, the chaperon-
age continues until marriage. Court
ship must be conducted under the pa
II rental eye, members of the household
Il remaining in the room during the visits
OF men, and rarely can the sweet, low
ing nothings be breathed without
| reaching other ears than those for
which they are intended. Sometimes
the Argus watchfulness Is relaxed for
a few moments, which are improved to
the utmost, 1t can be imagined, but are
liable TO be broken into unexpectedly
and frequently by the scrupulous and
anxiously responsible parent or matron
in charge.
In the preparation for marriage the
bridegroom is expected TO provide a
home according to his means, more OF
less completely equipped with house
hold linen and all necessities for house
keeping. This in virtue of the senti-
ment that the bride must bring to him
nothing but herself and her trousseau
In this country Of fine needlewomer
this trousseau is something remarkable
in variety and execution, often Of such
daintiness that many American brides
might envy them.
Porto Rican brides do not waste
much time or money upon many stree
gowns or those for public display. j
is to please the eye of her husband
alone that all the arts OF construction
are expended in house gowns, lingerie
and negligees. A popular model is
cambric princess. the front a mass o
lace and drawn work round neck, ant
gossamer tight fitting or flowing ange
sleeves. A number Of these enter int
! the outfit. each a marvel of exquisite
work. according to the purse or deft
ness Of fingers OF the bride.
A fashionable time for the marriag
/ CpTeTnOnY
o'clock in the morning The bride
groom. with his immediate relative
, and friends, proceeds to the home o
the bride, and from there a wedding
, procession is formed to the church
Carriages are rarely used, the party,
living in town, making the short Jour
ney on foot, the bride walking with he
godfather, the bridegroom with hi
return to the brides home, whereupo.
\ she lifts the veil from her head an
Il throws II over that OF her nearest gin
4 friend. who cuts it into bits and dis
Il tributes It among the unmarried guest
i at the ceremony.
Il The bride then strips to pieces tn
orange blossoms or her crown, and ais
those which deck her gown more o
Il less deliberately, according to the mum
ber Of her guests, and a spray is pre-
A sented to each. The fun then grow
Il lively over counting the blossoms, thos
full blown signifying years, the hal
\ blown months and the buds days whic
Il will intervene before the recipient
marriage.
The bride then retires to make
l change in another special feature {
her array. the bridal garters, which al
elegant affairs, ornamented with whit
satin rosettes and orange blossoms an
suspended from the waist by strand
!, upon strands of white satin ribboi
a Each garter is enclosed in pretty bo
and. presented to her most intimai
y girl friend. The strands OF ribbon al
r. cut into pieces and distributed anon
Q the other guests. Then. simply attire
Il in the wedding gown, sometimes eve
" this is laid aside for another, and Il
I. festivities take the form Of those usu
= to such occasions.
s Refreshments are served, never omi
= ting chocolate, which from time in
Y memorial has been the nuptial beve
age. so generally recognized that whs
a friend wishes to ask the date of
marriage the question takes the for
Of when win chocolate be served2"
u After several hours of gayety Il
- bridegroom takes his bride to the
I. new home. and they begin life OF tn
l. domesticity. They continue to be see
n occasionally in society, but general
n chaDeroning some young friends,
Is chatting with their contemporaries,
n ,,,ieti,, and contentedly moving throue