The Dickinson press., 1907-09-21
{MARRlAGEs IN ;MExtcQH2

ES tfstss%'s 1Aax. tts--yvyy ,sEr5ETF 49,. a.,s -. /. \.
rhs' Way Thsy, Are Arranged and che
Way the Lovers Meet. u
The average Mexican does not think
Of marriage until he has at his disposal
q sunsmore than moderate. II he hap
pens to belo1g to the higher strata of
society, nor until it is consented to by
the unanimous vote Of every one of
the members of the family. Instances
can be mentioned Of two young per-
o who have never met each other and
in whose minds the idea of matrimony
has eve yet entered becoming man
and wife through the within Of their
parents.
1t may be that the family Of the
bridegroom looks upon his matrimonial
union with q certain girl who may hap
pen to be the daughter Of a magnate
as a Of avoiding bankruptcy. It
may be that the father of the bride
considers her alliance with the son of
a politician as an adrolt asu In
preventing the downfall OF the head of
the house. or In point Of trivial scircum-
stances it may be that 4 marriage is
brought about with the object Of re-
ducing the yearly tax by the father of
the bridegroom or that of the bride.
The motives given and those never
given for the Encouragement Of such
alliances vary according to conditions
and are always in relation to the posi-
ton occupied by the two families. .
The frequent brevity of the proceed
ings in the arrangement of bridal ties
is fortunately giving way to a more
the part of parents toward their sons
and. daughters. But it should also be
added that the custom has by no means
disappeared, for cases Of this nature
could be counted by the score in al.
most every city in the republic.
When. With the knowledge or On
sent Of their parents. two young per-
N become engaged the parish priest
is requested to can on the brides ia
Their for the purpose Of making known
to him the designs Of the bridegroom.
A temporary objection at this point
may practically upset the plans Of the
young candidates to marriage, as the
opposition of the father means a delay
of two years or more
During that period the affectionate
lover parades the street night and day
in the hope of seeing his sweetheart. A
thunderstorm would not be sufficient
to drive him from his retreat under O
balcony Of near a telegraph pole. I
have see a lover talking to a pretty
girl through ar iron barred window
| while a terrific rainstOrm swept over
the city with great fury as quietly and
naturally as If balmy spring weather
had prevailed. TO-. =
But. the Mexican lover enjoys the.
novelty Of the affair. and, far from
making any attempt to obtain permits.
sion to call on his sweetheart at her
own home. he Is ready to undertake
any task, however difficult, in order I'd
speak to her alone, for q young lady Is
seldom allowed to receive men with
out at least two or three members Of
the family being present. Ii
The general topics of conversation
about extreme heat, beautiful weather
and the like are iii such cases strictly
in order, and the suggestion is never
made to take cher" out for a stroll or
a short drive. That would set the
house on fire. A moderately large bank
account may enable the visitor to in.
vite her family to attend the opera, but
this means that all. chances for the ex-
change of amorous expressions be.
tween the lovers are lost, for it is his
duty to offer his arm to "mother'' and
wait upon her until their return from
the theater, aside from securing seats
for every member Of the family, somel
times including the servants.-7Modern
Mexico. -