4
3
XA..1
4 irt
3fc
mm
Dunrian$nik anllVi&xjroora. going to elumrh.
s
t. J A
I 1'
7
.-ytV. :
O O
0
o
0 9 0
0
2
1
- Js.-"
3L
cv'v-'i-"
mm
I
X-fiV. ft!
ill f!
4 f.
5 l 1
Hon
i t
m
iW&s ZJt'a Austrian of Chicago, ho has spent
much time in travel abroad, studying the manners, cus
toms, and social life of 1tomen in foreign lands, de
clares the Magyar girls of Hungary are the greatest
flirts in the world. The results of her observations
ore embodied in the following article:
BY DELIA AUSTRIAN.
HE American girl Is a flirt, the French woman
W I a flirt, but their way and charms are unirrter
B I eating when oontnyrted with those of the Mag
X I yar girl, who Is the greatest flirt In the world.
Thla Is natural, "tor in Hungary song anu
laughter, dance and music are so exuberant,
women are so lovable, and lovemaklng so spon
taneous that wooing and wedding offer them
selves as alluring themes." Naturally bright and vivacious,
theM clever girls And philosophy and the exaot sciences a
- V
v.v
A
K
V
a
1
1'v . f, .. -.w
1!3
Lore, but poetry, music, and song, with their wild emotions
and alluring fancies, appeal to their girlish hearts.
Their .own peculiar beauty is In keeping with the form,
color, and rhythm they lovo. What strikes oni Is the extreme
freshness, delicacy, and purity of their coloring. Their wavy
ha.lr, as among all women of this Hungarian race, la superb,
and their large deep eyes are shaded with long lashes sug
gesting revery and feeling thai craves for admiration and
love.
No Desire for Foreign Suitors.
Satisfied with the strong physique manly bearing, and
frank way of their men, they are content to find their suitors
at home. The Magyar men are as anxious to woo them as
they are to be wooed. Thre is something so winning In their
coquettish glances and fascinating smiles; the men are so
manly, debonair, and easy It Is hard for either sex to resist.
With them love and courtship mean so muoh It must be
given all Its color, and a wooing Is often therefore a long
doing. Tttfey have endless opportunities of meeting each
other visiting the markets, working in the field, and pass
ing each other while out for a stroll. The youths feel that
the scarda, or Inn, U the beat place to see the girls they
would admire. The scarda Is a club, where on Sundays and
holidays old and young come to dance and make merry.
Muslo of the gayeet sort is heard, the picturesque costumes
of both men and girls give added life to the scene.
Favor'de Dance a Story of Love.
The ' Boards," tbelr favorite dance, gives them plenty'
of opportunity to reveal their gayety, ease, and grace. It Is
really a pantomime and describes the course of true lova
The music and dancing are at first slow, the couples walk up
and down In a stateJy manner. Then, feigning to have made
each other's aoqualnt&nce and fallen victims to their tender
(eolings, the muslo grows lively and the courtship begins In
' earnest. The lover approaches his fair maiden and she coyly
responds; they spin around together for a few minutes when,
as if she were allowing him too many privileges, the maiden
retires pouting, whereupon he again approaches. This time
she turns her back on him in a most flirtatious way and they
dance off In contrary directions.
This dance varies according to the locality and spirit of
the dancers, but the theme of lova courtship. Jealousy, disap
pointment, and reunion Is always there. Sometimes at the
end the lorn throws himself on his knees before his mlstrens
white ah dances about. him in triumph. The waving of bats.
Mm
A J
11
M
a.n3. BriaTOOto .
the stamping of feet, the wild strains of the violin make
the acardas a most lively und fascinating dance.
Fairs a Favorite Rendezvous.
The fairs are another favorite rendesvous for these young
men and women. The girls visit these rows of shops to look
,at the bright scarfs, gay jewelry, only incidentally to see
I the young men. The men go to admire the long beautifully
, embroidered cloaks, high boots, and only Incidentally to buy
sweetmeats and cukes for their girls. In the cool summer
evenings when the business of the day Is at an end the young
folks come out to see the sun play on the blue Danube, and
,tbe splendid rock built citadel of Buda-Ptssth. They stand
7
chattlns; while they revel in the beauty of the hour and
amuse themselves listening to managers of the theaters shout
and see the marionettes whirl, twirl, and dance.
When winter comes and H gets too cold for them to prom
enade out of doors the young people spend happy evenings
et the home of some friend. Here they hold weekly assem
blies, not to cook on the chafing dish but to spin; their hostess
acts as their chaperon and they give her their work In turnt
They work industriously but not too hard; with their toll
they mingle stories, riddles, and plenty of laughter the only
thing they cannot talk about In love. Nothing la said against
ly glances, pouting, and contagious laughter. They are not
anxious to bring their love affairs to a climax; they feel that
love, like champagne. Improves with age, and the longer they,
prolong the courtship the better the love.
Family Present at Courting.
Strong as Is the heart of the Magyar he sometimes grows
impatient and starts courting in earnest. Though he usually
makes his visit at night, he does not climb up on a balcony.
He knocks at the door and, getting no answer, be exclaims:
" Your wooer has rapped long enough on the door; open and
let him in."'-
After some hesitation the young woman usually decides
to admit him, and 'the young Romeo finds himself 1n the fam
ily kitchen at last. Here the courting usually takes place;
they are not disturbed, though parents and inquisitive broth
ers and sisters be present. When the girl's blushes grow too
red and his laughter too merry the young man puts his arm
about her waist, not to embrace her but to cover them both
with his long clonk. In this fashion they sit chatting and
laughing as only rovers know how to laugh and talk.
These young people are not sworn lovers, yet they are
only trudging together along love's path, without the slight
est notion of how they will come out nor have they any de
sire to know. "They are as changeful, as evasive, and as
unique as their own music, which now laughs, now wails, now
caresses, now sigihs, and mocks." They pose over their love
making, play with it, and ao suffer the less and enjoy it the
more.
how She Receives Proposal
Not every youth Is sturdy enough to stand this teasing
and torment; he cannot bear to be smiled at one minute and
corned the next. When he Is too shy to go a-woolng he has
It done by proxy. He sends some older woman to And out If
his attentions are agreeable; If she returns with words of en-
couragement he hastens to her home, but If he cannot make
up his mind to go alone he takes some young man along to
speak the thought he feels. The suitor Is careful In selecting
bis ald-de-camp, for he knows well that a Magyar girl has
decided views on love and one mistake in this courtship may
destroy his fondest hopes.
Though he often speaks to her with words of wildest
praise, she hears them with shyness, for every Magyar girl
has plenty of savoir-faire. If the words spoken please her
he calls to her parents to come and drink from the loving
cup the spokesman holds In his hand. The lover then takes
It, and after a long glance quaffs deep; then he kisses the
brim, turns to the girl, and she presses the cup to her Hps.
Divorce Is more unpopular with the Magyars than It It
among many people, so three days of grace are allotted for
the engaged couple or their parents to change their minds.
They test each other with much coquetting, with pleasant
accusations, and Innocent charges, designating them lovers'
quarrels. At the close of this trial the lover and his spokes
man go to hear if the girl Is of the same opinion. Some,
times the messenger goes alone, and after getting a favorable
answer he hastens back with the news'.
Kissing Feast Accompanied by Music
More Interesting than the betrothal and the wedding Is
the kissing feast; it Is Just what It claims to be. The young
couple seal their vows with one-two-three and sometimes
many times three kisses. This Is the first time she has been
guilty of this offense, though she has mocked him with her
Hps and kissed him with her eyes many times before. The
kissing Is done In public, often accompanied by happy music,
laughing, and dancing.
The picturesque dress of these women does much to give
warmth to their coquettish glances and gay laughter. A
full flowing skirt with a long train Increases their height,
and a tight bodice brings their splendid form In clear outline.
Their necks snd arms are often decorated with splendid Jew
els. Young girls seldom wear veils or caps, but often twins
strands of pearls In their hair.
The men are of tall stature and have a robust frame. Ths
Chief feature of their dress is the white shirt extending only
to the chest, and the Immense white trousers terminating In
fringe st the knees. A blue Jacket often embroidered In gsy
colors Is thrown over the shouldirs, while the head Is cov
ered by a broad brimmed hat of black felt ornamented In ths
most fantastlo manner.
The Magyars are certainly a romantic, handsome, and
attractive people and though they recognize the value of love
and courtship they are frank, sincere, anil earnest. This la
to be said of the women as well ss the men. Although ths,
girls are so gay snd coquettish that It would not be surprising
to bear a timid Italian girl murmur " how dreadful," ths
American girl would offset these remarks with " how charm-,
Ing," "perfectly fascinating." What harm hHS she done, for
he develops Into the deftest and brightest of housewives and
ts as good a Ufs comrade as any man can hops to find.
' v..