The crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1877-1878, 1878-02-28
STORIES FROM SPAIN.
The Life Of the Common PeOpIc-A
Delicate Act of Hospitality.

The Life Oc the Common PcopIc-.
Delicate Act Of Hospitality.
Bn and Taylor in the New York Tribune.
Since on both occasions, | visitc
Spain without single letter of intro
duction, and Travelled chiefly on horse
back, it happened that knew moth
ing whatever of the ways of living com
mon to the middle and higher classes @
society. | can only report concernnl
the domestic habits of the common
people, the bulk of the population
There was one custom, indeed, preya
lent among the better class, which | hat
an opportunity of learning in Seyill
and Granada-but | should be doubt
full whether it still exists. It is one o
those ancient, almost poetic habits o
society, which disappear with the in
crease of travel. 1t occurred to mi
several times, on entering cafe in eth
er of the two cities | have mentioned
that, on calling the waiter to pay hin
for the chocolate, or rice, or whatever
else | might have ordered, he replied
1T is paid already senor." But who
paid it?" was my natural question
The walters reply was, invariably q
don't know who it was" If | then
sail, "Show me which gentleman il
was, he always answered, He has gone
away" 1t was simply an ancient Gus
tom, which suggested the refined and
noble hospitality of the Arab race
Some native gentleman had perceived
that | was a foreigner, and had himself
paid my billas welcome to Spain. In
order that might feel no obligation, !
WIS not allowed to know him, and the
waiter answered me in accordance with
this ancient and sacred rule. / have
never found, anywhere else in the
world, Il courtesy so generous and deli
cate.
The Oriental abit of saying, "My
house is yours" or "at your disposal, 81
is retained in Spain. SO is the umiver-
sal custom among the people, high and
low, never sitting down to eat without
inviting all who may be accidentally
present to partnkc of the cheer. The
conventional answer is Many thanks
may it be good provision for You vet
if any one, through ignorance or press
ing need, should accept he would GER
tainly receive his share. In travelling
from Mexico to Vera Cruz by stage, n
good many years ago, | found it almost
impossible to pay for Il meal. Some
one of the native passengers was sure
to have settled in advance with the
landlord for the breakfast or dinner If
the whole company. Thisisnot mere
matter of ostcntation with the Spanish
people, or they would not take such
pains to conceal their hospitality. 1t ii
an inherited habit, which has almost
the force of a religious duty.
In strict connection Herewith, anoth-
cr custom prevails, which first learned
in Andalusia, had hired horse in
Granada, for the journey to Gibraltar
by way of Malaga and Ronda, and this
included n second horse, with a mo2o-
groom, guide, companion, and servant,
in one | was fortunate in having
gay, lightheartcd, honest fellow, who
shortened the way for me whenever
the rough bridlc-puth was wide enough
for two to ride abreast. When We hal
ted at noon the first day to feed our-
selves and the horses, Jose went into
the kitchen and helped prepare TIE
meal, then, when all was ready, he
washed his hands, cody took scat nt
the table, and helped himself to the om-
clctto and stewed kid. I WAS rather
but said nothing. In the
evening the same thing happened again;
and finally, on the third day, Jose hay
ing become quite free and confidential
toward me, said: "You are not like the
scnor. l have travelled
with them, and they won't allow me to
eat with them, accordingto our Spanish
custom. Well, when that happens, ]
dent go into the kitchen, except for
myself, and they don't fare well us You
do, can tell you!" He was right; it is
the ordinary habit OF the country; and
| must say that not only Jose, but all
the other attendants l employed in
Spain conducted themselves like gen
tlemen as my companions at meals.
This and other similar customs evi-
IDENTIFY account for the democratic man
ncrs of the Spaniards. Except the
Arabs, l do not think there is more
lignified and sclf-posscsscd race of men
in the world. \ timid or embarrassed
Spaniard is a phenomenon. The man
Or woman lowest in the social scale
even the bcggars in the streets-.will
talk with a grandce of the blue blood, |
or the king himself, not only without
cringing, but without apparent confu-
sion of manner, One great charm of
travel in Spain is the circumstance that
Ihe traveller may feel himself perfectly
free to speak to every one whom he
meets, sure that civil remark and
m honest, genial manner will lead to
cordial acquaintance. The
ease and frankness of the women is
very delightful. 1 have
lound the same characteristic among
the country women of Sweden, who are
of Gothic blood; and it still fingers, as
I 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 as there is more
strength of character, so there is more
'eticence. The mixture of Saracenic |