IRISH ROMANCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2063, 25 April 1907, Page 3

IRISH ROMANCE.

Sou mas MncManus, that recognised now antho rlty on Irish village life, has risen to defend his countrymen from the lihollous nssortion that in Ireland marriages arcs always arranged by proxy. Ho quotes ns a far more correct observer the little woman of nine who when asked in her confirmation class the Catechism •question “What is the proper preparation for matrimony?”- replied while blushing, hanging hor head, “A little courting, plcaso, Father Tcroneo.” The Irishman is an adopt at courting, oven without serious views of matrimony. This is the Nemesis that attends on too widespread national beauty. Irish girls sue all so. enchanting that there is distraction in making a choice. But since courting is dono. according to this blissful acoount, “at fair and at market, at- the dance, and on the

;reou hillside, going to chapel and wiling away from it,” we may think 10 more of the traditional nrrnngonent by go-betweens discussing less lie. romance of tho position than the nine of a subsidiary pig or cow. In roland. or elsewhere, courting is like iair-eiitting, von must bo there yourelf if you want it. well done. An rish boy marries when he has “a

rid" house,” and an Irish girl just when she pleases. “You are too young to marry yet.” observed a mother. “Never mind, if you only have patience, mother, I’ll cure myself of that fault,” said Maureen. “An’ she’s never been used to work.”

was tho next discouraging reflection “Never mind, if you’ll only have patience.” said the suitor. “I’ll cure her of that fault.” And there is no doubt that her marriage did. The average marrying age, however, is the sensible twenty-five, and the boys especially would not. choose to make it earlier. An Irishman after lie bad spent seventeen years of married life, following upon seventeen of single, vowed that lie would never marry so young again tlio’ lie lived to tlie age of Aletlniselab! At the right moment.

when courting time is over, the youth prepares himself for wedding soberly and seriously, befits a momentous undertaking, and tlie girl makes her life choice. “Alary As-

thoro,” sighed an anxious parent. “You heard Father Dan, no later •>go than last Sunday, read out St. Paul’s advice to young people—‘they

that marries does well ; but they that don’t marry does better.’ ” “AA’ell. mother, I’m determined to do well—let who likes do better.” said Mary; and we are assured that almost all tlio young girls in Ireland do well.

SOME RULES FOR CONDUCT, Some directions that arc more lasily remembered than "tlio usual cximples are given from a recent volume, “The Cynic's Rules of Conduct.”

“AVlieu in a street with a. lady, a gentleman should not light a cigaret' to unless the lady does. “When, you stop on a lady’s toes, make some off-hand remark about her Feet being too small to be seen. This is older than tho cave-dwellers, but it (till. works.

“Don't forget to tell her that she’s not like other girls. It always works, whether you spring it on the belle of the village, the girl with a hare lip, >r tho bearded ladv at tlie circus.

“If you use the same solitaire for the second engagement, don’t refer to it as killing two birds witli one stone. “At week end and bridge parties no really nice girl will client on tlio Sabbath day. “Don’t marry for money, but never let money stand between a girl and her happiness. “It is not good form to congratu'ate a girl friend upon her engagement. Simply remark: ‘So you landed him at last.’

“When at a wedding breakfast try to remember that you will probably liavo other opportunities of drinking champagne. “Tile chief duty of the best man is to prevent the groom from cscajiing before the ceremony. “Remember, too, that perhaps you are not the sort of husband that father used to make. “In taking soup try and not to give others the impression that the plumbing is out of order. “On returning from the altar he careful not to step on the bride’s train. There’s trouble enough ahead without that. “At afternoon funerals wear "a frock-coat and top hat. Should the funeral he ’-our own, the hat may ho dispensed with. “Those who live in glass houses should he polite to reporters. “The father gives the bride away, hut the small brother would like to."