Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-05-05
MARRIAGES IN MEXICO.
How They Arc MISUNDERSTANDING OF
the Lovere-Ststus of the Divorced.

the LoVere-Ststus of the Divorced.
The average Mexican does not think
of marriage until he has at his dispo-
sal sum more than moderate, II he
happens TO belong to the higher strata
OF society, nor until It Is consented
to ~ the unanimous vote of every
one of the members of the family.
Instances can be mentioned Of two
young persons who have never met
each other and In whose minds the
idea of matrimony has never yet en-.
tered, says the Mexican Herald, be.
! coming man and wife through tho
whim of their-parents.
II may DO that the family of tho
bridegroom looks upon his matrmon.
ial union with II certain girl who may
happen to be The daughter OF mag
nate as the means of avoiding bank
ruptcy; 1t may he that the father of
the bride considers her alliance with
the son of politician ms an adroit
measure In preventing the downfall
OF the head of the house, or In point
OF trivial circumstances, 1t may bo
that n marriage Is brought about with
! the object 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 Encouragement of such
alliances very according to condi.
, lions and always IN relation to the
potision occupied nv the two families.
The frequent l.'cvity OF the pro-
ccedinss in the arrangement CT bridal
ties Is, fortunately, giving way to n
more liberal and conscientious be.
havior toward their sons and daugh.
tiers. But 1t should also be added that
the custom has by no means dlsap.
peared, for cases of this nature could
| be counted by the score in almost
/ every city in the Republic
When, without the knowledge or
| consent of their parents, two young
persons become engaged tho parish
priest is requested to call on the
brides father for the purpose of max.
ing known to him the designs of the
bridegroom. A temporary objection
ut this point may practically upset
the plans of the young candidates to
marriage. as the opposition OF tho
father means delay of two years or
moro.
During that period the affectionate
lover paradcs the street night and
day In the hope of seeing his sweet
heart; thunderstorm would not be
sufficient to drive him from his re.
treat under balcony or near tele.
graph pole. have seen a lover talk
] ing TO a pretty girl through an iron
barred window while a terrific rain
storm swept over the city with great
fury as quietly and naturally as IL
balmy spring weather had prevailed.
But the Mexican lover enjoys the
novelty OF the affair. and far from
making any attempt to obtain per
mission to call on his sweetheart at
her own home, he Is ready to under
take any task however difficult, in
order to speak TO her alone, for a
| young lady is seldom allowed to re-
ceive men without at least Two or
three members of the family being
| present.
The general topics of conversation
about extreme heat, beautiful wealth
er and the like are In such cases
strictly In order. and the suggestion
is never made to take cher, out fol
a stroll! or a short drlye-that would
get the house on fire, A moderately
large bank account may enable the
visitor to invite her family TO attend
the opera, but this means that all
chances for the exchange of amorolis
expressions between the lop>rs arc
lost, for 1t Is his duty to offer his
arm to mother and wait upon heI
until their return from the theatre
aside from securing seats for every
member of the family. sometimes in
GLIDING the servants.
y The divorce laws now in force In
tie United states have been severely