Evening journal., 1900-03-21
H. DR.. Cadman,
nHME EpwOrth Church,
hsWNA TONIGHT.
PORTO RICO coURTsHIP.
II Is Carried on Under the Greatest
Difficulties.
San Juan correspondenoel.

eQ over the girls OF lle uOuStnoiu anu
their continued subsection to parental
authority, even after reaching years
OF maturity, is a successful barrier TO
anything sensational in contracting a
life partnership in Porto Rico. No as
sociation is tolerated that may lead to
a mesallance. 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 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 succumbs 20
the witching glance OF a sweet, soft
eyed senorita finds the paths of love
anything but flower strewn. 1t requires
heroic walls Of bristling duennas and
human walls Of bristling duennas and
scowling matrons that guard the APP
| proaches 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 It has been de-
creed 10 be a fragrant breach OF pro-
priety for an afiianced or married wom-
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
rental eye, members OF the household
remaining in the room during the visits
OF men, and rarely can the sweet, low
ing nothings be breathed without
reaching other cars than those for
which they are intended. Sometimes
the Argus watchfulness is relaxed for
few moments, which are improved to
the utmost, II 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 or
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 needlewomen
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 OF money upon many street
gowns or those for public display II
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 a
cambric princess. the front mass OF
lace and drawn work round neck, and
gossamer tight fitting or flowing angel
sleeves. A number Of these enter into
4 the outfit, each marvel OF exquisite
work, according 10 the purse or deft-
ness Of fingers of the bride.
! A fashionable time for the marriage
ceremony is from midnight up to two
/
] groom. with his immediate relatives
) and friends, proceeds to the home Of
the bride, and from there a wedding
procession is formed TO the church
Carriages are rarely used, the party 81
, living in town, making the short jour
. ney on foot, the bride walking with hel
godfather. the bridegroom with hii
godfather. The ceremony over, the.
! return TO the brides home, whereupoI
she ,lifts the veil from her head ans
throws Il over that OF her nearest cir
friend. who cuts it into bits and dis
tributes II among the unmarried guest
at the ceremony.
, The br lie then strips TO pieces tn
I orange bl lssoms OF her crown, and ais
, those WI ich deck her gown more o.
!, less deliberately, according TO the mum
! ber OF her guests. and a spray is pre-
scented TO each. The fun then grow
lively o. er counting the blossoms, thos
full blown signifying years. the hal
blown months and the budssdays whicl
D. will intervene before the recipient
marriage.
Z The bride then rctires TO make
s change In another special feature o
= her array, the bridal garters, which ar
k elegant affairs. ornamcnted with whit
e satin rosette' and orange blossoms an
y suspended n ON the waist by strand
II upon strands OF white satin ribbor
t Each garter is enclosed in a pretty bo
IS and presented TO her most intimat
s. girl friend The strands Of ribbon an
q cut into pieces and distributed anon
N the other guests. Then. simply attire
NJ IN the wedding gown, sometimes eve
y this is laid aside for another, and th
~ festivities take the form OF those usu;
20 such occasions
Refreshments are served, never omii
ling chocolate. which from time in
memorial has been the nuptial bevei
D. age. so generally recognized that whe
L friend wishes 70 ask the date OF
IS marriage the question takes the forl
,e OF When viii chocolate be served?'
r. After several hours Of gayety n
y bridegroom takes his bride to the
~ new home. and they begin a life OF tn
~ domesticity. They continue 70 be ses
/, occasionally IN society. but general
a. chaperoning some young friends,
A. chatting with their contemporaries.
- quietly and contentcd ~ moving throuf
- the dance. always, invariably, Wi