The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-09-29
LIFE IN MEXICO.
SOCIAL AND RELIGIOUS HABITS
OF OUR NEIGHBORS.
Courtyards in the Houses-The Ala
media, or Public Park - Bellies
and BeauX on Sunday Even.
ing-Priests and Churches.

the latter to the driving park and prom
enade, and in every fine house and hotel
we find courtyard. This is simply a
square yard in the center of a very large
building in which the tiers of rooms and
elevated porticoes on the four sides form
the wall of the inclosure. Among the
more wealthy there is vine-covered pi-
azza leading down to hcwn stone or
marblc-fountain. Close by there are cosy
seats under the spreading branches of
evergreen tropical fruit trees. In the
rear there are winding walks encircling
beautiful flower plats and she'll covered
rockcrie5. Under the wide, f:esco,d
veranda there are numerous antique
flower vases. Some are filled with deli
cate and fragrant flowers, while others
are entirely hid by ovcrhanging ivy and
Towering vines. The inches in the wall
are set with air plants and creepers. The
grand entrance is closed by q large double
door made of hewn timber and put to-
gethcr with heavy bolts and iron bands.
These doors are about fifteen feet high,
by twelve feet wide, and swing to and
fro under the wide arch that unites the
second stories over the passage-way. The
center of this arch is s.metimes adorned
with the statue of the patron saint of the
family, at other times we see rude image
of an ancient Aztec, while among the
more modern we see the Spanish coat of
arms or the present emblem of Mexico, a
spread eagle perched on a cactus plant
and dcvouring snake.
When night comes the Don, his family
and retinue of servants are gathered into
the courtyard, after which the great
doors are brought to by main strength,
then locked and fastened by an extra
bolt and a long bar across the top and
bottom. Among the very ancient struc-
lures there is deep moat surrounding
the building; this is crossed by draw
bridge, and when drawn in is used as
portcullis for the door.
The alameda, like the courtyard, pre-
sents q picture of perpetual springtime.
Each are the breathing places of their
respective surroundings, and usually pos
sesses all the beauty of landscape garden
ing known to the people. Here we find
o reservoir, but no water works, few
neat flower plats and long rows of stone
seats in tie form of our old-time, high
backed benches. On either side of these
there are smooth drives and walks, be-
tween long lanes of overlapping shade
trees.
In the carly morning the students and
all classes having leisure come here to
walk or drive. The invalid of wealth is
here in carriage or on horseback, while
those among the poor may be seen con-
tentedly seated on chair that is strapped
to the back of q cargador, thus all are
having their morning ride. Many of the
poems and pe'ados, wrapped in their
blankets, are seated in the sunny places,
apparently for the purpose of thawing
out. The water carriers, like nation
of ants, are passing each other to and
fro with Their morning supplies of
water. On Sunday evening Mexico
turns out in her best. The dude of
the day, clothed in 'oat skin and tinsel,
is here with his horst. Hcwears silver
mounted wide scmb:ero, and carries
long lasso and large rc:1olver on one side
and q dangling sheathcd sword on the
other. Of course there are no cattle to
catch, or men to carve and shoot, but this
is the cavalier style, and the poor crea-
ture would feel it burning shame to be
out without his acoutrcments when there
were so many beaux Ind bellies to gaze
upon him. When be meets lady friend
he lifts his hat high in air and says:
"Buenos todas, para server" GOOD
evening. I am at your service.) TO
which Dona Luisa replies: "AIuy bicn,
gracias." Very we'll. Thank you
If he is on foot, he takes her hand and
says in Spanish gra4diloquently: 81
place myself at your feet, Miss" To
which she answers by saying: "E kiss
your hand, 4ir,' after which they begin
a conversation composed of terms lually
extravagant. When particular friends
meet thcy often fail to shake hands, but
will give each other q close embrace.
The ladies usually begin by kissing the
right and left cheek, next they embrace
a few moments, after which they fiuish
their verbal greetings and proceed to ex-
change the latest neighborhood news.
When priest is salutcd men take off
their hats, often embrace him, and ladies
usually kiss his hand. When the bishop
is passing in the street the people take Off
their hats and kneel until he has passed,
during which time they bless themselves,
say short payer and invoke his bless
ing. The same respect is paid to a priest
when he is on his way with cross in hand
to administer the sacrament of extreme
unction. Then all are expected to offer
a prayer for the soul of the dying.
The Bufa is q neat stone church built
in the subulb bs of Zacatecas, on the sum-
NIT of one of the highest mountain peaks
, in Mexico. A large cross crowns the
summit, and the little church close by
! contains sacred shrine, to which many
; devotecs from far and near make an an
nual pilgrimage. Some have come bare
footed over thorny any stony plains,
; while bearing cross on their shoulders:
Others on arriving at the churchyard
gate advance to the front door on their
bare knees over pebble and fagstone
walks. The most of this is self-imposed
penance. This church, like all Mexican
churches we have seen, is without pews,
hence the congregation are seated on the
floor. 1t has many beautiful paintings
oD6 cnulntnrps