DUTCH COURTSHIP.

Timaru Herald, Volume LII, Issue 5168, 15 June 1891, Page 3

DUTCH COURTSHIP.

« In certain carts of Holland, whoa a young man thinks he has found uis affinity, it ia cuetomnry for him to ask for a match to light his cigar at the door of the lorcd one's house. This little snbtorf ugo is intended to arouse t!io parents of tho gid to the fact that eomething is in tho wind. If a second call with a similar object is made B'On after, do doubt is left of the young mail's intentions, and the parents proceed to investigate the young man's character and antecedents with a viow to ascertaining his eligibility as ft mornber of tho family. When ho calls tho third time, always for n match to light his cigar, they are propared to give him an answer. If his suit in regarded with favor ho is politely requested to step inside for the first time, and is servod with a light. If he is not accopled, he is refused n light, and tho door ia ehut in his face without furthor ceremony. But, having prepared for this contingency, tho downoast suitor will in all probability light his weed with a match from his box, and walk away musing on tho transitory nature of all earthly things. When the accepted suitor is invited to enter the house, he, as a matter of courso informß the paronts which of their daughters has captivated hia funey. When this is settled the young man stops forward and thoy -join hands. Whilo tho cn«agomont is by no means considered a settled fiiet, oven at this important Btngo, yet it is slated as a truth that when on the occasion of the young man's third visit his inamorata has offered him a second cigar, which he hud Bmoked in tho house, tha engagement has nover been cancelled.