American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-06-16
[Fron Thompson's Recollectons of Mexico
MEXICAN WOMEN.

They have no fre-places in Mexico, and
think this circumstance has very great nhu-
ence on their character. 1t is not easy to esti-
mate the moral influence of these family re-
unions, to which we are accustomed, around
the hreslde on long winter evenings, which are
passed in reading some excellent book, or in
conversation not less instructive.
In walking the streets of Mexico, it would
be very safe to bet that eight out of every ten
persons you would meet would be officers, SOL
diers, priests, frars, or leperos, and ii would be
difficult to decide which class is the most nu-
merous. All but the last of these classes are
not only unproductive, but a charge upon the
country. 1t does not seem to me that the whole
productive industry of the country, SO far as the
Mexicans are concerned and excluding the pro-
fits ofthe labor and capital of foreigners, would
be sufficient to support these drones.
| wish that | could in sincerity say that the
ladies of Mexico are handsome. They are not,
nor yet are they ugly. Their manners,
however, ARE perfect; and in the great attributes
of the heart, affection, kindness, and benevo-
lence in all their forms, they have no superiors:
They are emneatly graceful in everything but
dancing. That does not 'come by nature" as
we have the authority of Dogberry that read
ing and writing do; and they are rarely taught
to dance, and still more rarely practice it.
think that in another, and the most impor-
tant point in the character Of women, they are
very much slandered. | am quite sure that
there is no city in Europe of the same size where
there is less immortality. Indeed, | cannot see
how such a thing is possible. Every house in
Mexico has but one outside door, and porter
always at that The old system ofthe duenna
and constant espionage, are observed by every
one, and to an extent that would scarcely be
believed. have no doubt, however, that what
ever other effects these restraints may have,
their moral influence is not a good one. The
virtue which they secure is Of the slckly nature
of dollhouse plants, which wither and perish
when exposed to the weather. Women, in
stead ofbeing taught to regard certain acts as
impossible to be committed, and therefore not
apprehended or guarded against, are brought
up with an idea that the temptation of oppor-
tunity is one which is never resisted.
do not think that the ladies of Mexico are
generally we'll educated. There are, however,
some shining exceptions. Mrs. Almonte, the
wife of Gen. Almonte, would be regarded as an
accomplished lady in any country. The Next
cans, of either sex, are not reading people.
The ladies read very little.
The general routine of female life is to rise
late, and spend the larger portion of the day
standing in their open windows, which extend
to the floor. 1t would be a safe bet at any
hour of the day between ten and five O'Clock,
that you would in walking the streets see one
or more females standing thus at the windows
of more than half the houses. AT five they ride
on the Paseo, and then 60 the theatre, where
they remain until twelve o'clock, and the next
day, and every day in the year repeat the same
routine. In this dolce far niente their whole
DIT | that in &C
the qualities of the heart which make women
lovely and loved, they have no superiors
| The war of independence was illustrated
with many instances of female virtue of a ro-
mantle character, one of which | will mention,
And again regret that have forgotten the
name of the noble woman whose virtue and
love of country was SO severely tested. The
lady to whom | refer had two sons, each of
whom was in command of a detachment of the
patriot army. One of them was made prison.
er, and the Spanish General into whose hands
he had fallen, sent for his mother and said to
! her, eff you will induce your other son to sur
render his army to me, will spare the life of
the one who is my prisoner" Her instant re-
ply was, "No! will not purchase the life of
one son with the dishonor of another and the
ruin of my country" This fact is historic, and
is more true than history generally is.
The ladies of Mexico dress with great extra
vagance, and | suppose greater profusion of
''pearl and gold''-I will not say more barba-
rc-than in any other country. | remember
that at ball at the Presidents, MIR. Bocanegra
asked me what | thought of the Mexican la
dies; were they as handsome as my own coun-
| trywomen? of course avoided answering the
question:; told him, however, that they were
very graceful, and dressed much finer than our
ladies' He said he supposed so, and then
asked me what thought the material of the
dresses of the two ladies which he pointed out
had cost; and then told me that he had hap
pened to hear his wife and daughters speaking