The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-03-09
For the Central Presbyterian.
To the Young Ladies of the Wilson
Missionary Society. Union. w. Va.
BRoWNsVILLE. TEXAS

Missionary Society. Union. w. Va.
BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS, Feb. Is, 81.
AS l have not written before, l fear very
much you will think 1 consider myself so far
removed from you as no longer to be one of you
in interest and work; but the only difference
between now and then isl work here, you
there. VIII my hardness be atoned for in a
measure by sending you this through so high a
medium2 Much that was altogether new and
strange to me has grown quite familiar-faces,
voices, costumes. and customs have ceased to
excite remark Indeed 1 am entirely at home
now. Although L knew 1 would be on the
lowest limit of the United States, had not ex-
pected to find Brownsville more Mexican than
American, as it is; about three fourths of the
population being of the former. Then the Mex
leans are much more foreign people than 1
had thought-more in their manner of living
than in appearance however-as the average
Mexican of the lower classes answers in almost
every particular to the mulatto at home. Many
of the Mexican ladies are handsome brunettes
and have dignited and refined manner. You
would be at first surprised at the street dress of
the women-a loose flowing skirt usually train
ed, and dressing sacque which, however, is gen
orally hidden with the universal shawl-black
with long fringe: this shawl is worn in a some
what mantilla manner over the head, and one
end over the shoulder, in way to secure it per
fectly, letting the folds and fringe go at their
will AS matter of course the face is entirely
exposed. A bonnet or hat is rarely seem Par
asols are occasionally carried. The women and
girls seem to have special pride in their hair
which is usually abundant and worn in braids
many ways. The men wear blankets caught
about the shoulders in the same manner, but
their heads covered with broad brimmed
small crowned hats. The children are only
miniature men and women In appearance.
The houses, for they can scarcely be called
homes. of many of these people are very wretch
ed and miserable. l can not remember now
any stables in Virginia with which to compare
them. They have the ground to begin with,
and you can take this literally in many cases !;
then the mud daubed walls and thatched roofs.
Imagine such house populated by an entire
family and you have the poor Mexican's home
Then give all the family smallpox and let the
wind be blowing at rate and temperature suf-
ficient to make one cold in comfortable house,
stances, the last month. Strange to say, they
are wonderfully contented people in poverty
and misery-almost stocal in the midst of mis-
fortune. Whether it be an apathy unavoidable
In the inheritors of oppression, or the result of
fatalistic teachings, know not
The school now is not principally on
account of the smallpox epidemic and the un-
usually severe winter. Mexicans do not like
cold weather and inertia is the remedy applied
l would like to give you pen sketch of some
OF the pupils. Here are some names all dome
up" in Spanish: Columbia, Panchita, Cecilia.
Pillar, Juanita and Cuca
The services, though in Spanish, are very in
teresting to me. Such evident interest and at
tention in all. Many of the tunes being famil-
lar, give me much pleasure, welded to the softer
sounding words The Mexican singing has
much of the melody we so often hear in tae
negro congregations at home-oc occasionally at a
sacrifice of time and accuracy. In their prayers
also there Is the same warmth and fervor, though
their emotional nature is under better control.
Indeed one of their chief characteristics ia their
quiet department Tie streets may be full of
people, but there is none of the clamor and noise
ehoI "Oulu Do hlaue ny Jne same number OF
Americans.
Some people expect very good letters from
missionaries-all about churches and heathen-
but you know at least one who can write only
as other people do from strange places. The
daily providences the hourly mercies. are surer
and sweeter than ever before-but you know
this-the promises fail not l could tell Won
many things Of the mission band here How
men can preach four sermons on a Sabbath.
How they can enter houses full of small pox and
fear not, &C. l saw lady as fair aud delicate
as any of you, point within twenty PAGES of her
door where smallpox patients were, and anotb.
er put her baby down and 90 out into the
midst Of them.
When l write again will tell you of Mata-
morss more particularly. 1 have not vet been
in our church there nor seen the congregation.
have handful Of violets near me, outside. {"
February violets Affectionately,
JANET H. HoUsroE.