Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-09-08
.SW A U II IN Ns-
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER g, ls41
EDITORS CORRESPONDENCE.
SALrILLo, MExIco. July q. 1874

EDITORS CORRESPONDENCE.
SALTILLo, MEXICO, July q, lS47.
DEAR -: AS cannot entertain you with any
moving incidents of military enterprise and adven-
ure, shall try to gather something from the still
life and customs of the strange people am among,
that may serve to amuse and interest you.
In my last, | mentioned the singular spectacle
exhibited in the streets Sunday evening, of
Chicken Cock, decorated like one of our own mill
tary heroes, carried in procession, and followed by
band of music. That bird, have since learned
from a gentleman who attended the sports Of the
evening, belonged to of the Priests of the city
and was Tough, by him in person upon wager of
fifty dollars, which he lost-his chicken being kill
ed. He had others, however, with which he pro-
we'd more fortunate, and came Off winner, in the
end, some two hundred and fifty dollars. | am
told that no heels all his chickens himself, and has
the reputation of being the most skful cockfghter
in SaltlllO. The gentleman who gives me tins in
formation attended Church in the morning, and
saw the same Priest administer the Sacrament of
| the Lords Supper to his deluded and misguided
people.
About the same time that these sports of the pit
were going on, witnessed one of the most pom
pous funerals have yet seen. 1t was the funeral
| was informed, Of an infant The corpse was car
ried upon bier, and was completely hid under the
l
rated. Al the head OF the corpse something like
an arch was formed, rising to the height of about
three feet, wreathed with flowers, and enclosing
In the centre small image, suppose of the Viz
gin Mary. Immediately In advance of the corpse
were the Priest and two attendants the latter ac-
coutred in red flannel frocks and pointed brmless
caps, and near by at their side two miserably rag-
ged and filthy looking beings, the one with burn
ing brand and the other bundle OF rockets which
| of h,t t.f nj, g.
ter could hand them to him. The crowd that fol-
lowed was very motley, consisting of mean looking
men and women and ragged boys, and had more
| the appearance OF a mob than procession. Here
| and there, however, could see some few of gen
teel exterior, and among them several women car
| ryiDg vases of flowers. These funerals presume
are quite expensive, and have no doubt are made
a source of handsome profit to the priesthood
| did not follow the procession into the Church. and
| consequently can give account of the ceremonies
| there.
marriage in high life was to have taken place
in the principal Church Of the city few mornings
since at two O'Clock and had determined to attend
1t, but for some reason it did not come off as ex-
peeled. The Priests here, understand, ask fee
OF a hundred dollars to marry couple properly
SO as to "secnre prosperous and happy marriage
The price is certainly moderate enough, if the Sc
curity to be obtained by it is worth any thing
|
little question that many put full confidence i'm it
SO that where faith may not operate, fashion, or a
desire, as we say in Virginia, to be married 'like
| white folks" will be in the general to make
such items of service fat jobs to the priesthood
There are number of schools, find, in Saltil-
10, and considerable attention is paid to education
by the wealthier portion Of the population. 1 have
seen few Mexican young men, who were well
educated, and some of the Ladies of the same class
| IN no hoJ
the guitar and the piano may sometimes be heard
in passing along the streets. Still the masses are
mlserably degraded and ignorant-but little, if any
better should say, In appearance, color, conduct
morals, or intelligence, than our free negroes II
is mistake, however, TO call them effeminate-
They are generally off good size, and have the best
developed chests ever saw. They partake, too,
rather more Of the character of the Indian than the
| negro.
The chief amusements of the population here are
cock-fghng and dancing, in both of which the
| women participate. The costume of the women is
pretty much like that of our own, the hustle not
excepted, though they wear their shawls over their
heads drawn down close under the chin, instead of
bonnets. They have slovenly mode too of wear
ing their dresses stripped down upon their launches
or waist, leaving their bosoms bare, when the
shawl Is thrown aside, or only slightly protected
by their under garment.
| ''o"oNo e.,
even among the better ciasses.-A table, few
chairs, and probably mirror, for the most part,
make up the whole stock. Many, indeed, have
| neither tables, chairs, nor beds. The family eat
their meals seated round the dishes on the floor,
| and take their repose upon dried hides
Their municipal affairs are managed by the AL
cade, who seems TO have complete and absolute
jurisdiction in all cases, whether civil or criminal
The only check upon him, indeed, seems to be that
the Office IS elective and tho length of the term,
which, believe, IS but one two years. The
police are certainly very vigiant and quite efficient
IN their own way, so far as they undertake to cor
rect public disorders. witnessed scene the other
day In market which amused me very much. Two
stout boys were engaged in furious fight, but I'm
luckily for them policeman happened to be near,
who instead OF proceeding in the quiet, methodca
way OF one OF our officers, Immediately fell upon
them with his long rod, caring not which of them,
or where he struck, and the infatuated cOmbatanis
| at once broke their holds and ran off. Thus the
whole matter was settled in second, which might
have taken upa day in our Corporation Court,
consuming the valuable time OF three or four JUS
tees, and twelve honest Jurors, to say nothing of
the halt dozen gentlemen of the green-bag that are
usually involved in such petty annoyances.
There is slight increase in our sick list to day.
Wo report fifteen sick. Yours, SC.
SALTILLo, Mexico, Aug 2, IS47.
Dear -: We are still without any definite
news here as TO the prospects of peace or war
The reports which reach us are Of the most contra
dIcOry character, and it is impossible to make any
thing out of them. One day we hear that the
terms Of treaty have been nearly arranged, and