Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1842-06-25
No. 10.

49, 10 J'o''y ~ bOi'iS Viz ouilIC lllIliS
of us.
We take it for granted that, as our poliH.
cal institutions are the best in the world.
our social institutions, manners and charac-
ter are SO too-but this is forcing concu-
slons from premises that may not and will
not always legitimately yield them. 1t is
not very uncommon thing for the charac-
ter of a people to be at issue with the char
acter OF their government, or the social
spirit, habits, manners and modes Of think
ing and acting of the former to be arrayed
against the spirit and genius of the latter.
In most countries the governments are be-
htnd the peopIe--in some the people are be-
hind the government; the latter is very
rare. The former is the cause here. This
government is Iiberal, 5goted, and selfish
in the highest degree; the people Just the
reverse; but both are at least a cenluary
behind the times.
And were | asked to furnish a case IN
which the people, or part of them. were
behind the government in their social and
religious institutions, character & manners
would unhesitatngIy point to my own coun.
try. Now aItho' the spirit of our govern.
ment and our political institutions is liberal
mild and tolerant as much so as consists
with the present advancement of our MO-
raj and intellectual nature--the spirits Of
many Of our people is Just the reverse Of
this-and this spirit of bIgotrv. intolerance
and exclusive seiishness, that like an under
and counter current. pervades the conn uni
ty, IS a direct antagonist against the spirit
and genius OF our government, against which
it sometimes jostes and jars very rudaly
and dangerously.
There is very little of science and lite
nature cultivated by the inhabitants OF Cuba;
these things. with religion, are left to the
priests; and they have far more credit than
capital, in all three. They are an aban-
doned and licentouS set Of men: and with
the swarms Of monks and iriars, are
the veriest curse in the country.
and so do the yirluous and intelligent cji-
zenS regard them. The Spaniards are very
incident; love and pleasure constituting
the business Of their lives; and where the
passions alone are regarded and consulted,
and the intellect neglected. the state OF
uorals must be !iceniious; Gnl yet even
here. there are some as noble exceptions as
can be found in any society; persons as
distinguished for virtue and intelligence as
they are for rank and riches. And yet there
is no people, who have as strict a regard
for Appearances, as the SPan9rds this is
always the case in 4 corrupt and ,iCeatl Us
state Of society, there is then a great atitc
tation Of Wtat is not, to hide whai really is =;
and the absence of virtue must be supplied
by most scrupuoGs. and rigid observance
Of all its appearances; and a young, IN
married Spanish lady, would actually be
ruined in her reputation, We're she seen RI
ding or walking for half an hour, with the
most worthy young man in the city, unless
she had a brother, or some female attendant
with her, such as some grim visaged duen
na as governante: this is literally true,
and no single lady is ever seen in public, az.
tended by single gentleman, alone.
But, when married. the case is changed;
she may then 60 whittier she pleases, and
with whom she pleases: so that Spanish
lady is never free until she is married. Bu;
while single they are in state of absolute
bondage; and in the choice OF a husband,
their wills and wishes are seldom regarded,
but they are traded of like any other arti-
Gle, to the highest or wealthest bidder;
would be virtue to hate; and this too, per-
haps when the hearts of the poor victims
have been given to others. Then intidelity
is sure to follow, for when Spanish lady
loves. it is with an intensity and devotion.
as well as romantic passion, which is only
known in her fiery cline: and to possess
the object Of her love. she will risk every
lhing--brave every thing-endanger every
thing, and sacrifice every thing. even her
reputation and salvation. And as there
are SO many iIl-assorted marriages here,
there is n vast amount of infdelitv in the
conjugal state; because mora! principle is
little cultivated and love is the only prin
cIpIe Spanish lady knows-this is her law
her religion-her rule of action, and her
conscience; and she is true 10 this, though
false to every thing else.
No master was ever more true to his re.
llgion, than a Spanish lady is to hei love.
THIS is in part owing to her nature, and ed
ucalion, and her reading, which is confined
to works Of fiction; but part of it is rem
nant of the ancient spirit of chivalry that
still fingers among the higher classes, and
is still fondIy cherished. 1t is said that a
Spanish lady when unhappay married to
the man she does not love, will hire an as,
sassin (plenty of whom are here for hire,)
to kill her husband; such things are done,
so 1t is said, and doubt 1t not.
These asSasslns are a very convenient
set Of fellows, and very useful to jealous
lovers, rivals, and unhappy wives. Every
thing here is settled by their daggers. 4
man might live a year in HAVANA, and
never SEE street fight or hear a quarrel.
But few are the nights, the dagger does not
d. is work. The first morning after ar,