The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-05-03
MARRIAGEs IN MExIco.
How They Are Arronged-Meeting of
 the Lovers--stntus of the Divorced,


 The average Mexican does not think of marriage until he has at his dis posal sum more than moderate, if he happensto belong to the higher strata of society, nor until it Is consented to by the unanimous vote of every one of teh members of the family. Instances can be mentioned of two young per sons who have never met each other, and in whose minds the idea of matri- mony has never yet entered, says the Mexican Herald, becoming a man and wife through the whim of their par ents
 It may be that the family of the bridegroom looks upon his matrimonial union with a certain girl who may happen to be the daughter of | mag nate as the means of avoiding bank ruptcy; it may be that the father of the bride considers her alliance with the son of politician as an adroit measure in preventing the downfall of hte head of the house, or in point of trivial circumstances, it may be that a marriageis brought about with the ob ject of reducing the yearly tax by the father of the bridegroom or that of the bride
 The motives given, and those never given for the pre-arrangement of such alliances vary according to conditions and are always in relation to the po- sition occupied by thetwo families. IlE II VuuSHl DItNlly VI lUt PlQCbtu~ ings in the arrangement of bridal ties is, fortunately, giving way to a more liberal and conscientious behavior on the part of parents toward their sons and daughters. Hut it should also be added that the custom has by nomeans disappeared, for cases of this nature could be counted by the score in almost every city of the republic.
 When, without the knowledge or con sent of their parents, two young per sons become engaged, the parish priest is requested to call on the brides fa- ther 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 de- | lay of two years or more.
 During that period the affectionate lover parades the street night and day in the hone of seeing his sweetheart; a thunderstorm would not be sufficient to drive him from his retreat under the balcony or near a telegraph pole, 1 have seen lover talking to pretty girl through an iron barred window, while a terrific ranstorm swept over the city with @ fury as quietly and na- turally as If balmy spring weather had prevailed.
 But the Mexican lover enjoys the making any attempt to obtain perIhis- sion to call on his sweetheart at her own home, he is ready to undertake any task, however difficult, in order to speak to her alone, for a young lady Is seldom allowed to receive men without at least two or three members of the family being present
 The general topics of conversation about extreme heat beautiful weather and the like are in such cases strict ly in order, and the suggestion is new CT madeto take her" out fora stroll or 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 between the lovers are lost. for 1t is his duty to offer his arm to mother" and wait up- on her until their return from the the ater, aside from securing seats for ev- cry member of the family, sometimes including the servants.
 The divorce laws now in force in the United States have been severely and re peatedly criticised in private by both men and women of the higher class in this country, on the ground that man and woman, once united in matrimony, ought never to separate.
 The theory is too deeply rooted in their minds to permit a a man or a woman to resort to the court of divorce in Mexico, built is never adhered to as a principle; it Is simply a queston of self-respect. The separator of husband ety, and even their sons and daugh- ters are madeto feel the effects of public scorn; sometimes it bars the son or daughter from matrimony while social intercourse becomes impossible for the divorced husband and wife.