The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-07-21


man, they arc very much slandered. L
am quite sure that there is no city in Eu-
rope of The same size where there is less
immortality. Indeed | connot see how
such thing is possible. Every house in
Mexico has but one outside door, and a
porter always at that. The old system Of
the duenna, aud constant espionage, are
observed by every one, and to an extent
that would scarcely he believed. have
no doubt, however, that whatever other
effects these restraints may have, their
moral influence is not a good one. The
virtue which they secure is OF the sickiv
nature of hot-housc plants, which wither
and perish when exposed to the weather.
Women, instead Of being taught 10 regari
certain acts as impossible to he committed,
and therefore not apprehended or guarded
against, are brought nP with an idea that
the temptation OF opportunity is one which
is never resisted.
do not think that the ladies Of Mexl-
co are generally very wei educated.-
There are, however. some shining excep-
tons. Mrs. Amonte, The wife of Gener-
al Almonie, would be regarded rs an ac-
complished lady in any country. The
Mexicans of either sex, are not a reading
people. The ladies read very little.
The general routine ot female life is to
rise late, and spend the larges portion of
the day Standing in their open windows,
which extend 10 The floor. 1t would
be safe bet any hour of Tie day between
ten and five O'Clock, that you would in
| walking the streets see one or more tc-
males standing thus at the windows of
more than hall the houses. Atfive they
ride on the Paseo, and then go TO the
theatre, where they remain until twelve
o c eek and the next day, and every day
in the wear, repeat the same routine. In
this dolce far ne.nia Their Whole lives. p IS
away. But | repeat that IN MANY oi the
qualities of the heart which make women
lovely and loved they have no superlors.
The war oi independence was lllustra-
| ted with many instances OF female virtue
/ of a romantic char. Ger, one of which |
will mention. Aud again regret that |
/ forgot the noble woman whose virtue and
love of country were so severely tested.
/ The I;.dv to whom | refer had two sons,
each of whom was in command of de-
tachment OF the patriot army. One OF
ihcm was made prisoner. and the Spanish
General inio whose hands he had fallen
sent for his mother and said 10 her. "lf
vou will induce your other son to surren-
der his army TO me, will spare the life
of the one who is my prisoner! Her in
slant reply was, /" No will not pur-
chase The life of one son with the dishon-
our of another and the ruin OF my coun-
try" This fact is historic, and is more
true than is o.y generally is.
The ladies of Mexico dress with great
extravaganza, and suppose a greater
profusion of pearl and gold will noi
say more barharic-llIan in any other
country. remember that at ball at the
Presidents, Mr.. Bee ncgra asked me
what thought of the Mexican ladies:
were they as handsome as my own coun-
trywomen! ], of course. avoided ;nswe :
ing the question; told him however, that
they were very graceful. and dressed
much finer than our ladies'. He said he
supposed Sc, and then asked me what |
thought the material of the dresses of two
ladies, which he pointed out had cos; and
then told me that he had happened 10
hear his wife and daughters sp aking Of
them, and that the material of the dresses,
hlande. think. had cost one thousand dol
lars each. | asked on the same occasion
friend of mine who was a merchant.
what he supposed was the cost of an or
nament for the head thicklv set with dia-
monds of the Sonora A. G.. He told me
that he knew very well, for he had I'M
ported it for her. and that the price was
twenty five thousand dollars; she wore
other diamonds and pearls no doubt of e.
quail value.
have said that there are very rarely
anything like evening parties. or tertulIias;
social meeting, or calls to spend an eve
ming are quite as unusual. except among
very near relations. and even then
the restraint and espionage are not at all
relaxed. Persons who have seen each
other, and been attached Cor vears. often
meet AT the altor without ever having
spent half AN hour in e ch others comma
nv. ladies of the better classes never
walk the streets except one day in the
wear, the day before Good Friilav, I be-
lieve it is. Butihey make the most Of
this their saturnalia; on that dav all the
fashionable streets are crowded with them
in their best 'bihs and fuckers and gilt
tering in diamonds.
The streets are always, however,
swarming with women Of the middling
and lower classes. The only articles Of
dress worn by these are chemise and
petticoat. satin slippers. but no stockings,
and rehozo, long shawl improperly
called hv our ladies' a mantilla. This