accorded by the Midsummer sun, the banks of the Guadalquivir
echo the gay melodious laugh, which enlivens the animated buzz of the
crowd; and the morning ray gilds the upper windows of the deserted
houses before their doors are opened to the supper-craving population.
The rite practised on this occasion is marked by a simplicity
altogether antique. The youth of Seville, that is the masculine
portion, have provided themselves with small boxes, containing a sort of
sugar-plum of exquisite flavour. One of these is held between the finger
and thumb of the _cavallero_, from the moment he sets foot on the
promenade. On the approach of a party of ladies he endeavours to
distinguish, as far off as the gloom permits, the features or dress of
an already selected object of preference; or, if still free to make a
selection, some countenance possessed of sufficient attraction to
determine his choice. On discovering the owner of either of these
requisites, he watches a favourable opportunity, and approaching the
lady, offers the bonbon.

The _senorita_--of course unmarried--thus selected, is obliged to accept
the compliment if properly offered, as well as the arm of the
_cavallero_ during the rest of the night; and, on arriving at her house,
he receives from her parents, or chaperon, as the case may be, an
invitation to supper. Should the lady be desirous of avoiding the
compliment, of the approach of which she is usually aware, she must
exercise her ingenuity in putting obstacles in the way of the attempt.
In this effort many are successful, since the peculiar mode of
proceeding, obligatory on those who make the offer, affords certain
facilities. The condition is not binding on the fair object of the
compliment, unless the lips receive the bonbon immediately from the
finger and thumb of the cavalier. This is a source of no small amusement
to the _senoritas_ at the expense of strangers from other provinces of
Spain. Conscious of being the object of preference of some young
beginner, or stranger uninitiated in the mysteries of the rite--and who,
let it be understood, does not happen to be an object of preference with
them--they will afford him every facility of approach, and on receiving
the present in the hand, will repulse without mercy the luckless wight,
whose retiring steps are accompanied by peals of laughter from all the
party.

The month of June is likewise distinguished by the procession of the
Corpus Christi. On this occas