1898 
• • -♦ : -4V- , 
Guadalajara 
(Jalisco) 
June 
Marriage 
Among 
Lower Classes 
Religious 
Vows 
The duenna is a necessity in society and tho rules of etiquette 
surrounding the intercourse between young people of the two sexes 
Is so restricted that it is impossible for young persons to know 
anything of each other before marriage. 
The fact that divorce is unknown by virtue of the prevailing 
religious belief prevents any very available knowledge being secured 
as to whether marriage is a failure or not under this lottery system 
\ 
of getting partners for life. The marriage announcements usually 
state that the bride is "sympaiieo". 
In the state of Colima, I was credibly informed that over half 
the common people were living together in an unmarried state owing 
to the priesthood charging about 116.00 for the marriage ceremony,- 
an almost impossible sum to most of them,- and at the same time 
preaching that it ms better to live together without marriage than 
to be married only by the civil service provided by law at no expense. 
> * 
As a consequence, the poor class is all paired at an early age 
without the formality of a service. Those unions are usually perma¬ 
nent (where there are children especially) but, as a natural conse¬ 
quence of such a state of affairs, a considerable amount of exchanging 
partners is going on. 
This condition of affairs goes on in Jalisco as well. The civil 
marriage is performed free of charge at the office of the Judges. 
Gae afternoon in Guadalajara, I wandered into the cathedral and 
saw a man kneeling before on® of the images with his left arm hold 
up thus and on inquiry found it was to fulfill a vow. Thus 
like a fakir of India. 
Afterwards, on a feast day in Itsatlan, I saw the church filled 
with kneeling people extending out on the steps in front, many of 
the men with one or both hands raised ( or ), giving 
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