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Show rs z —— Ba a ie far removed from the effects civilization, these batles are still given by the native people. Another custom at bales, not witnessed in these later days, was one which was always calculated to provoke mirth and amusement from all present. Those attending would provide themselves with egg-shells filled with cologne water and other sweet-smelling articles which they would break over the heads of their friends as a matter of sport, all of which was looked upon as a capital joke.°° lhe Spanish custom in the giving and taking in marriage was of nr ® course : In vogue COURTING MARRIAGE ° in New AND CUSTOMS ° Mexico was as ‘ among the * e natives. All proposals of marriage were made to the father, or, if he was dead, to the mother, as the parents were supposed to daughter’s procedure . follows, and custom of the country among be the rightful affection. to In brief, a degree, the people a young still keepers of a the mode continues of Mexican of as the descent. If man became enamored of a young lady and desired to oer eaen Governor Merriwether and W. W. H. Davis, U. 8. attorney, were once attending a baile given at the residence of Captain Martinez, a brother of Fr. Antonio José Martinez, the curate of Taos, these distinguished gentlemen were entertained not only by the versified bon mots of the village poet but also by attacks from Several of the sefioritas present armed with these cologne filled egg-shells. Mr. Davis says of his experience on this occasion: ‘‘I ha not been long in the room and in the recess of dancing when I observed three pretty girls coming toward the place where the governor and myself were sitting, with Ccountenances beaming with fun, as though they were bent upo2 a mischief. Stand They approached within touching distance, and before we had the defensive, or were even aware of their object, smash! ps : Wesot the egg-shells over our heads in quick succession, and down our - es streamed the eau de cologne. ike the episode of the boys and the rogs, the current of fun seemed to run in one direction, and on this occasion re Pi on ‘a8 No question about the young ladies having it. Satisfied with their gallant exploit, they marched composedly back whence they came, and quietly took their seats, This looked very much like storming the citadel. There is a twin custom up . — provided you can ¢ , t you may kiss the oy Such occasions, tha fair assailants, them ‘and which inflict;is, the penalty ses bef : this. atch I ' in their > penalty Seats. before they But in regain instance they were out of harm’s way before I had age 163 time to a make her his wife, he made known his wishes to his father, who thereupon wrote a formal letter to the young lady's father, in which he asked for the hand of his daughter in marriage for his son. The matter was then carefully considered by the parents of the young lady, and, if the alliance was viewed as an advantageous one, in nine cases out of ten, the proposal was accepted without consulting the wishes of the daughter, who, as a dutiful child, usually did just as her parents desired. The length of time given to parents to consider a proposition of this: kind was singin about thirty days, at the end of which the affair was concluded an an answer given in due form. It was very seldom that a young lady thought seriously of matrimony, unless the | subject was broached by the parent. Of course there were exceptions and once in a while love affairs were carried on after the manner of the Among the better classes the wedding ceremony Anglo-American. was a very elaborate affair. Relatives and friends received ae tions. Large sums were spent in decorations and refreshments, and, in many cases, where the high contracting parties, or their parents, were people of wealth and position, the wedding was a great eye A house wedding ceremony was always performed in the sala 0 the residence guests, of the all arranged bride. Here around the be would assembled holding each room, the invited a candle. At the head of the room an altar was erected, in front of which _, the officiating priest and attendants, duly robed and book in age ; Shorey : e At one side were musicians. ready for the service. bridal couple came in, four or six others in the party, each a ing a candle, and advanced to a position in front of the price . The service of the Catholic church was performed and tne couple Immediately after the pao mennae declared to be man and wife. strike up a march,’ and after would musicians the ritual of the take any steps towards so delicate a performance, or even the deluge of cologne permitted me to open my eyes. As there was n o help for such misfortune, I submitted to my fate, with a most commendable Se ation, ae ‘esign wiped o away the was a ta Fé which mes ep ee ceremony 1n Ss* Se im attended :a wedding once straightened ‘09 The writer rs magne ee i after the happy ishment of the : couple had American that Soul-inspiring been guests during a period : ae marked praises: anak ernie and wife, ngieoese Pe of parecer reds p , ee remnant pronounced who tun — ‘‘Marching e were man present, the mu Through Georgia. 5 ae — mes ’ of American PEOPLE scans a ~ settlements OF THE ee 3 CUSTOMS ee motion. Finally and apparently following the lead of the first couple, the dancers came rapidly together, and, as the musicos struck some lively air, would whirl to all portions of the ball-room. Shortly this subsides, and the dancers waltz back to a sort of square formation, from which in turn each lady made the circuit of the entire set in a slow waltz. The dance to the onlooker was beautiful and enchanting. In the small villages, the country towns, and ? AND pollen MANNERS HISTORY . MEXICAN i NEW ee OF ae FACTS — LEADING se! 162 |