The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1878-03-07
SPANISH CHARACTERISTICS.

SpASISd CHAhAClEhASAASC
: cate Act Of Hospitality-Grave Juvenile
II Advice.
TBayard Taylor in the New York Tribunel
Since, on both occasions, l visited
Spain without single letter OF intro
duction, and travelled chiefly on horse
back, it happens that l know nothing
: whatever Of the ways of living common
to the middle and higher classes Of So
ciety. l can only report concerning the
domestic habits of the common people,
the great bulk of the population. There
was one custom, indeed, prevalent
among the better class, which l had an
opportunity of learning in Seville and
Granada-but l should be doubtful
whether it still exists. tits one of those
ancient, almost poetic habits of society,
which disappear with the increase OF
travel. 1t occurred to me several times,
on entering cafe in either of the two
cities have mentioned, that, on calling
the waiter to pay him for the chocolate,
or ice, or whatever else | might have
ordered, he replied sit is paid al
ready, senor." "But who paid it?''
was my natural question. The walters
reply was, invariably, 81 don't know
who it was.,' If l then said. "Show
me which gentleman it was" he always
answered, "He has gone away"
1t was simply an ancient custom,
which suggested the refined and noble
hospitality Of the Arab race Some ma
tive gentleman had perceived that was
foreigner, and had himself paid my
bill as welcome to Spain. In order
that might not feel any obligation.
was not allowed to know him, and the
waiter answered me in accordance with
his ancient and sacred rule. l have
never found, anywhere else in the world,
a courtesy so generous and delicate.
The Oriental habit of saying, "My
house is yours" or So at your disposal"
is retained in Spain; and, of course, it
must not be taken too literally. So is
the universal custom among the people,
high and low, of never sitting down to
eat without inviting all who may be ac-
cidentally present to partake of the
cheer. The conventional answer is
"Many thanks; may it be good provi-
sion for you!"-yet if any one, through
VI PiCSsihS, hCCuS az
cept, he would certainly receive his
share. In travelling from Mexico to
Vera Cruz by stage, good many years
ago, found it almost impossible to pay
| for meal. Some one of the native
passengers was sure to have settled in
advance with the landlord for the break
fast or dinner of the whole company.
This is not a mere matter of oStentation
with the Spanish people, or they would
not take such pains 10 conceal their hos
pitality. 1t is an inherited habit, which
has almost the force of religious duty.
In strict connection Herewith anOth-
er custom prevails, which first learn
ed in Andalusia. had hired a horse
in Granada for the journey to Gibralter
by way of Malaga and ROnda, and this
included a second horse, with moZo-
groom, guide, companion and servant
in one. l was fortunate in having n
gay, light-hearted, honest fellow, who
shortened the way for me whenever the
rough bridle-path was wide enough for
two to ride abreast. When we halted
at noon the first day to feed ourselves
and the horses, Jose went into the
kitchen and helped prepare the meal;
then, when all was ready, he washed
his hands, coolly took a seat at the ia
Bile, and helped himself to the omelette
and stewed kid. was rather surprised,
but said nothing. In the evening the
same thing happened again, and finally,
on the third day, Jose having become
! quite free and confidential toward me,
said: You are not like the English
men. Senior. have travelled with them,
and they won't allow me to eat with
them, according to our Spanish custom.
Well, when that happens, don't 60 in
/ to the kitchen, except for myself. and
they don't fare as well as you do, l can
tell you'll" He was right; it is the or
binary habit of the country, and must
! say that not only Jose, but all the other
attendants I employed in Spain, con-
Quoted themselves like gentlemen as my
companions at meals.
This and other similar customs evil
IDENTIFY account for the demOci attic man.
ners of the Spaniards. Except the
Arabs, do not think there is more
| dignitied and self-possessed race of men
in the world. A timid or embarrassed
/ Spaniard is phenomenon. The man
or woman lowest in the social scale
even the beggars in the sireets-will
talk with grandee of the blue blood, or
the King himself. not only without
cringing, but without apparent con-
! fusion Of manner. One great charm of
travel in Spain is the circumstance that
the traveller may feel himself perfectly
free to speak to every one whom he
meets, sure that civil remark will
bring a civil answer, and that an honest,
/ genial manner, will lead TO immediate,
cordial acquaintance. The ease and
! frankness of the women is something
very delightful. have found the same
I characteristic among the country wom-
en- of Sweden, who are of kindred Gothic
blood; and it still fingers, As relic of
past manners, in some of the older parts
/ of our country.
! In Andalusia the perfect self-posses-
sion of the race is more evident than in
/ Catalonia, where, rs there is more
/ strength of character, so there is more
reticence. The mixture of Saracenic
ancestry in the people about Granada
and Ronda is clearly to be seen, not
only in complexion and features, but in
many phrases, which have been simply
/ translated, not changed. The children
have the same precocious dignity as in
Egypt and Syria. shall never forget
the gravity of A boy of ten, who, after
lighting Inc to my bed in the garnet of a
little mountain inn, said: Are you
afraid?" l laughed, and answered
'No," ..Well," he remarked, ..you
might get afraid in the night. II you
should, Just knock on this WALL (point.
ing to it). ~ sleep in the room on that
side, and when I hear you knock l will
get up and come to YOU" Another
boy, quite a child, once said to me, will
face like revival preachers: "YoU
must not sit near the window. Their,
are depraved people in the streets, anc