The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-03-19
MEXICO'S PEOPLE.
It's Fair Women and Brave
Men.
Description of their Habits and
Manners.
From the New Orleans Democrat.

There exists no other society on the
| planet, not even in Indiana, where there
| Is more distinction of caste aud class than
is found 10 Mexico. On the gulf coast, by
| consequence of the unfortunate amaiga-
nation of the white and the Indian and
the Chinese and the black races, there are
said to exist at least a dozen separate
classes of humanity. of different color, or,
at least. of different characteristics. In the
capital such is not the case. There are
Castiiians and Creoles, or children of
Indian mothers and Spanish fathers and
full blooded Indians. The Creoles are
noted for their intelligence. their symmet-
~ of form and feature, and their personal
courage. Their complexion may be said
to resemble that of the far famed cabal.
leros of Andalusia. The males are
tall and shapely, while the ladies are
generally very beautiful. are we'll form
ed, possess deiicateiy nodded hands
and feet. and the most beautiful
eyes of any of the human family. The
mountains and plains of Spain. of the
Sierras and coasts of Portugal, and of Il O
famous cities of Italy. must yield to their
charming sisters of the Latin Republics in
the shape, size and expression of the eyes.
They are SO exceedingly expressive, a
glance from between their long fringes
seemato melt il to the very SUI.
The term ''Ojos Creollos." or Creole
ey es, has become proverb, while few.
very few, travellers from the hyperberean
regions have returned from their MEXICAN
tour heart whole, while very many who
returned carried with them the holy balm
for a wounded spirit. The better class of
Mexicans are, in the highest acceptance
of the term, gentlemen. They
are easy and unrestrained in
their manners. and are extremely
polished and polite. They are very in-
tellectual and are invariably well educated; ;
can speak several languages, perform on
the piano and guitar. and are generally
writer's andspoets-no mere scribblers. but
poets, essayists and authors OF ability.
Indeed, it would be difficulty to End q race
that exhibits such singular paradoxcs of
genius.
The most celebrated mathematician and
military engineer has written the most
successful play. The most famous partisan
officer of War OF the French Invasion pro-
duced the most popular sentim entail novel,
while the greatest Mexican fnaucier and
political economist has given to the
world the most touching and beautiful
poem ever poublished in Latin
America Many of the younger auth
oTs, whose ages range between -
and IS years. have acquired local reputa.
tons, Were they Americans or Euro
peans, their names would be pronounced
With respect and admiration throughout
Christeudom.
The MEXICAN ladies are exemplary
wives and fond and loving mothers.
Their home to them is their entire world
their husbands the Idols of the hearts.
while their children are the angels which
make their homes their heaven, Yet,
stet nge to say. there is no word
in the Spanish language THAT can express
the idea conveyed in our dear old hearty
Anglo-Ssxon word home" The nearest
approach to il is found in hogan, which |
may be translated 'hearthstone" OF
hearth" simply Yet. notwithstanding
this. The ties OF family are more binding
in Mexican society than among any other
race under heaven. The repentant cut
cast knows that he or she can always
return to the friendly shelter Of the family
root While the prodigal son invariably |
finds the arms of the INDUCING and fer
giving parent open 20 receive him, for
among the Spanish Creoles blood il. in.
deed thicker than water" and tears of
eyes have often wiped away the stains on
an erring daughters reputation. In Lat
in countries one false step is not SO often
followed by q parents curse, nor is the
door shut to the return of one who may
have, 10 the senseless parlance OF society.
irretrievebiy fallen.