100 



HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



women went the firfl: time at midnight to the houfe of 

 the damfel, carried a prefent to her parents, and de- 

 manded her of them in a humble and refpeclful ftyle. 

 The firft demand, was, according to the cuftom of that 

 nation, infallibly refufed, however advantageous and 

 eligible the marriage might appear to the parents, who 

 gave fome plaufible reafons for their refufal. After a 

 few days were paft, thofe women returned to repeat 

 their demand, ufing prayers and arguments alfo, in 

 order to obtain their requeft, giving an account of the 

 rank and fortune of the youth, and of what he would 

 make the dowry of his wife, and alfo gaining informa- 

 tion of that which fhe could bring to the match on her 

 part. The parents replied to this fecond requeft, that 

 it was neceffary to confult their relations and connec- 

 tions, and to find out the inclinations of their daughter, 

 before they could come to any refolution. Thefe fe- 

 male folicitors returned no more ; as the parents them- 

 felves conveyed, by means of other women of their 

 kindred, a decifive anfwer to the party. 



A favourable anfwer being at lafl: obtained, and a 

 day appointed for the nuptials, the parents, after ex- 

 horting their daughter to fidelity and obedience to her 

 hufband, and to fuch a conduct in life as would do ho- 

 nour to her family, conducted her with a numerous 

 company and mufic, to the houfe of her father-in-law j 

 if noble, fhe was carried in a litter. The bridegroom, 

 and the father and mother-in-law, received her at the 

 gate of the houfe, with four torches borne by four 

 women. At meeting, the bride and bridegroom reci- 

 procally offered incenfe to each other ; then the bride- 

 groom taking the bride by the hand, led her into the 

 hall, or chamber which was prepared for the nuptials. 



They 



