Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-06-03
RECOLLECTIONs OF MEXICO.
bNwAppN THOMPSON.
Jast Prshisisdb y Wtisy 4 Putnam Nsts York,
MEsIcAs CHARAcrER AND CusroSs.

| MksIeAs CaARAcrER AND Cvsross.
Notwh, landing the general prejudice which existed il
Mexico against me when 1 first went there, was treated
although somewhat coldly, always and by all classes viii
the most perfect respect In this particular the highc
classes OF all countries much alike, but doub
whether there other country where the middng
lower classes are 80 generally courteous and polite Their
10 country where kindness and courtesy
TO meet with proper return IL be that three hundreC
years vassasgc to their Spanish have giver
the Indian population habua Difference and respec
for which they have always regarded superior
one NopeoPlc are by nature social. none less 81
in their habits Ii is not the fashiol give entertainment
OF any sort. Aud what regarded little remarkable
the members OF the Mexican cabinet, of whom
men OF fortune and had ample at hand not only nov
er gave entertainments dinner parties the members
OF the diplomatic corps. but invited them
their houses-when invited such parties however by
OF the foreign ministers, they failed TO accept
the invitation With any other people there would be
seeuiing meanncss in this. But such not the
No people liberal in tho expenditure OF money
General Santa Ana had very large dinner parties whilst
was in Mexico, and three balls; but heard ofno
thing else OF the Kind except the houses OF the foreign
ministers. Santa Ana's dinners altogether elegant
and he presided at them with great dignity and propre
On such occasions he joyous and hilarious. The
pany, without exception had the appearance and
ners OF gentlemen; sat him these occasions,
and his aides who seated at the table,
would occasionally come TO his ard playful
thing TO him. Twas much struck with the style and in
'ereourse between them; marked by an steeuonae kind
ness on hrs part and the utmost respect but at the same
time freedom from restraint upon theirs.
His balls were very numerousy attended. The company
was by means select. In fact there very lew Of
who had business there This, however - unayoda-
bic IN revolutionary country like Mexico. Every Pres
dent holds his power by no other than the eapnee
OF the army, and he forced. therefore, concae II
acopoal who has married the daughter OF the washeTwo-
man OF the regiment has rsea to the highest sauon IN
the army, his wife be sighted with saeiy-and
such cases have occurred
wish that could in sincerity say that the ladies' of Mex
leo are handsome. They are not, nor they ugly
Their manners, however Perec and IN the great at
tributes OF the heart affection, kindness and beneSoence
IN all their forms, they have supenors They emf
nenty graceful everything but dancing That does
come by nature have the authority OF Dogbeny
that reading and wrung do and they rarely taught
dance, and still more rarely practice II.
think that in another and the important point
the character OF women they very much sandeed am
quite that there city Europe OF the
where there is less immortality. Indeed cannot
how such thing Is possible. Every house Mexico has
but outside door, and porter always that The
the old OF the duenna, and espionage
observed by every one and TO an extent that would scarcely
be believed. have no dogbt, however, that whatever
other efforts these restraints have, their moral nu
ence not good The which they secure
OF the sicky OF hot house plants which wther and
PERISH when exposed TO the weather Women, instead OF
being taught regard certain impossible be
committed and therefore not aPPrehensed guarded
against brought up with idea that the temptation OF
opportunity IS one which - never resisted.
do think that the ladies' of Mexico generally
~ well educated. There are, however, shining
ceptuns. Mrs. Amontc, the wife OF General AlmOne,
would be regarded accomplished lady in any eoun
Try. The MeXcans, Of either sex, j reading peO
pie. The ladies read very little.
The general routine OF female life is late, and
spend larger portion OF the day standng their open
windows, which extend TO the floor. 1t would be a safe
bet any hour Of the day between and five o'clock
that you would IN walking the ie
males standing thus the WINDOWS Of than half the
houses At they ride the Paseo, and then 60 the
theatre, where they remain until IL o'clock, and the
day and every day IN the year repeat the same routine
In this dolce far nienie their whole lives But
repeat that many Of the qualities of the heart which
make women lovely and loved, they have suPeriors.
The of Independence illustrated with many in
OF female virtue OF romantic character one OF
which will mention. And again regret that have for
gotten the OF the noble whose virtue and
love OF country severely tested The lady whom
refer had two sons, each OF whom in command OF
detachment OF the patriot army One OF them was made
prisoner and the Spanish General whose hands he had
fallen, sent TOT his mother and said her. elf you will in
duce your other surrender his army me, will
spare the life VI the who is prisoner" Her instant
reply was, mo, will purchase the life OF
with the dshonor OF another aud ruin OF my county,"
his fact historic, and Is true than history general
ly IS
The ladies OF Mexico dress with great extravaganza and
suppose greater profuson Of pearl and gold will
not say more barbarc-than IN any other country. re-
member that at ball the Presidents, Mr.. BOcanegTa
asked what thought OF the Mexican ladies' they
As handsome my COMMENCEMENT OF course avoid
ed answering the question: told him. however, that they
graceful and dressed much finer than ladies'.
lie said he supposed and then asked what thought
the material OF the dresses Of ladies' which he pointed
out had and then told that he had happened to
hear his wife and daughters speaking OF hem and that the
material Of the dresses blonde think had thou
sand dollars each. asked the occasion, friend
OF mine who was merchant, what he supposed the
Of ornament for the head thcky set with diamonds
Of the Sonora A. G.. lie told that he knew very well
for he had imported for her. and that the price
tyfye thousand dollars she other diamonds and
pearls no doubt Of equal value.
have said that there very rarely any thing like even
ing parties ertuas social meetings or calls spend
evening quite unusual except among very
relations, and then the espionage are
at all relaxed Persons who have each Other and been
attached for years often meet at the altar without hay
ing spent half hour in each others company. Ladies
OF the better classes walk the streets except
day IN the year, the day before Good Friday believe Is
But they make the OF this their snturnaa that
day oil the fashionable crowded with hem,
their best bibs and tucker, and guoring in diamonds
The streets are always, however, swamng with
Of the middng and lower classes. The only articles Of
dress worn by these chemise and pecolt slip
pes but not siockings and rebozo. long shawl improp
ery called by our ladies mhntla. This they wear over
the head and wrapped close around the chin and thrown
over the left shoulder Whatever they may be private
people can be observant Of propuety in public
may walk the OF Mexico for year. and he will
not wanton look the part Of female Of
any description, with the single exception, that you
woman with fine bust. which they very apt have,
she finds occasion 10 adjust her rebozo and throws
Of the shawl, bonnet and irock- body.
The women of Mexico think, generally smoke II is
Rcus 10 Do REGARDED as not eAacuy CONNIE Jdut and
therefore they do il privately. As The generally smoke
they have the advantage which Dosn Swi recommends to
all who eat onions, to make their sweathears do
One Of the fayorte and pleasant Of the
MeGicans is what they call do de campo day tho
country. party IL made up spend the day Tscuba-
va, or some other Of the neghbornR villages
house IN the suburbs Of the CITY, where dinner pepar.
ed, and bard u music sent out and tho day aud large
portion Of the night spent in dancing. Novor have
more Joyous and hilarious people than they these
occasions.
hell
10 General Amoute Just before he left Mexico on his mis-
SION TO thus country. " genuine roisttuE county
iroc We got into boats, and with the music playing
we're fowed tor some distance BY moonlight, In the canal
which terminates IN the Lske OF Chsco and then amongst
tao Chnampns OF floating gardens which nothing
more than shaking boys The very thin stratum Of soil
which had formed on tho water Of the Lake made more
unsteady, when small space surroun.
ded by canal There none Of the floating gar
dens descrbed by the conquoors which formed by
sruheir moIn and moved about from part Of the lake
10 mother.