Daily Public Ledger

LOVE IN THE TRANSVAAL.
The Formalities of Courtship Obtaining Among the Boers.

Forum.

Courting among the race is a novel proceeding. A young man, having, of course, asked permission of his father to court the hand and heart of some neighboring damsel—by neighboring, I mean anywhere within fifty miles—proceeds to purchase the most loudly colored and decorated saddle-cloth for his horse that he can possibly find. He will spend large sums on this article of equine adornment, and one knowing the country can never mistake a young Boer going out courting. Mounted on his most spirited steed, he approaches the house of the father of his lady-love. Unlike the youth of more civilized life, he avoids the lady and seeks her father, from whom he reverently asks permission to court his daughter. The old man returns no answer but consults his vrou, and the youth joins the young folks. No more notice is taken of him during the day, but if his request be agreeable to the parents, when the hour for retiring comes the mother solemnly approaches the young man and maiden with a long tallow candle in her hand. This she places on the table, lights, and bidding the couple an affectionate good night, retires. This is the silent signal to the lover that his suit is successful. The young couple are permitted to sit up together in the kitchen so long as the candle lasts, when the lady retires to the one dormitory of herself and sisters and the youth shares the bed of the brothers or male portion of the family.