The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-24
JUST HOW THEY woo
AND WIN IN SPAIN

Ihe wooing OF an English princess by
the King OF Spain gives topical interest
10 the methods OF courtship common
among King Alfonso's subjects--methods
"hlch the young monarch obviously dis
regards
IN Great Britain the fisst obstacle In the
pain or lovers-that Of the introduction"
usually the greatest In Spain, on
~ other hand, this Is the only easy step
ish ilrhrougnout gt the entire affair. The Span.
cep, sr srri III twno never leaves the house ex.
cept under guardianship OF married rel
stve or trusted family servanD sits on
ner balcony or leans invtingly, forth
rom an upper easement, waiting for the
sover ass,, Who' she whispers to herself Will
:, In very many cases, more so than In
Ehgiand' ne never does come, but her en-.
lhusiasm does not diminish. although, as
her hopes become thin, the rouge may
become thicker. Should a passing young
man catch sight OF the expectant beauty
ana hnds his heart pierced with the way
ware arrow, all that is necessary for him
70 90 is 70 lift his hat and plunge into
should the meeting happen while the
young lady Is taking the afr with the Gus
tul distance. In England he would be
eondemned as cad, but in Madrid they
look at things from another point OF view
~ the young lady approves OF his ap.
glance In his direction. In this case he
smiles, and should she SMILE In return.
an 10 well He need do no more than fol.
low her home. take note OF the house
and wait beneath the balcony until She
makes her appearance. Young men arc
seldom refused In Spain. for the reason
that young men are scarce.
Whatever may be the young ladys opin-
lon about the matter, II is thought that
she should consider herself most fortu-
nate that a young man should even con-
descend TO seem interested in her matr
monially, and in refusing his offer Of mar
rlage, she Is houting the benevolence of
providence. In fact In many Spanish
communities there are but two choices
before her-marriage or the convent.
The beauty of the Spanish woman is
generally exaggerated The English girl
walks abroad In the daylight. so that all
may see her and appraise to the full her
seldom seen under these rigorous condi.
tions. In the streets, during the daytime
on the rare occasions that she is 10 be
seen there. her face els usually half
glimpses OF her profile through windows
ajar, or surveys her by the help OF the
moonlight, as, tricked out in all the
adornments which she so well under
stands, she leans from a distant balcony.
The beauty whom we only half see we
always believe to be more charming than
reality. and with their coquettishly con.
cealed features. the Spanish women have
gained reputation for good looks which
they do not deserve.
The spaniard himself, like the men OF
other nationalities. Is n dashing fellow
enough when courting. and. by virtue OF
tradition, he has at all times certain
taking swagger.
In the early days of Spanish courtship
the young man is not permitted TO enter
the house. There are three distinct
stages in a Spanish love affair. In the
first, the participants are styled ''preten-
dientes." In this stage they may be said
90 la der all ~ Nd "a.
timating each others good and bad quail
ties.
subsequently,. after an apprenticeship
to each other by means OF the balcony.
''novios." In the third and last stage
they become "comprometidos."
Then the young man is permitted to en-
ter the house although he is not. how
ever, even yet allowed TO be alone in his
sweetheart's company. The closest APP
proach that he can make is 10 sit at one
end OF the parlor sofa, with his 'novia'
at the other end-and the father or moth
er between-and 10 talk conversational
nothings about the outrageous price of
vinegar.
shortly after this they arc married. for
a Spaniards sense Of honor docs not per
nit him TO draw out OF the contract, even
II he were thus inclined, Tor In 50 doing
he would almost irretrievably ruin the
girls prospects OF obtaining another hus-
band.
AS in France It is the ambition of every
Spanish father to give MS daughter
dowry, aud he invariably does his best To
send the young couple OF with a hand
some donation. After marriage they
cease to be interesting, for Spanish we'd
ded life is very quiet and uneVentful,
condition largely assisted by the complete
OF the wife TO her husbands
will. In Spain an undutiful wire Is dis
graced in the sight OF the whole comInu-
nity and she is practically unknown.
Spain has its advantages. Ex-
press.