Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1888-05-19
AM AMERICAN woMAN,s STORY



or what she Saw In s1exIeo-Character
isties OF the People.
Il Is said Of the Mexicans, as Of the
Russians, that in repose q deep sadness Ia
expressed in their eyes. The Mexicans
are good character readers, and especi-
ally note the bearing Of strangers. They
are very polite and hospitable, and very
proud. The higher classes Of society in
Mexico are almost as exclusive as the
court circles Of Europe. A middle class
Is growing up in Mexico. Mexican salu-
tations are exceedingly cordial "Afen
fall into each others arms and remain
thus for several minutes, patting each
other on the shoulder and indulging In
all sorts Of endearing epithets." Another
salutation, even between friends Of op-
posite sex, is thus described: "In the
quickest, most spirited manner, the arms
OF both parties are outstretchci,
they rush together for a second,
their breasts barely touch, and while
the observer Is watching for q kiss to
follow this ardent salute, they separate
and the abrazosis finished. The extreme
frankness accompanying It compels one
to admire the custom; for IL means no
more than hand shaking among the
Americans. II friends meet twenty
times a day they must pause to shake
hands.
At the capital one day there was seen
two splendid carriages, each occupied by
one man. The carriages halted, both
men alighted, removed hats, shook
hands, embraced, talked for few
moments, again embraced, shook hands,
bowed. took off hats, and each entered
his carriage and went his way" Tho
formal salutation between women is
tap Of the right hand ON the left shoulder,
and then generous shake Of the hand.
Women who are intimate friends not
only tap the shoulder, but lay their
cheeks softly together for an instant.
A lady traveller commends this sort Of
feminine salutation, and evidently pre-
fers 1t greatly to the American form of
greeting on the lips.
The Mexican makes really rs many
gestures as a Frenchman, and has quite
an extensive social sign language. Their
blowing Of kisses from the fingers is a
graceful demonstration. A certain l,osi.
ton Of the thumb and forefingcr signi.
fies ''stop q moment" One arm held
half upright, with the elbow in the other
hand, means ''he is too stingy to pay his
debts;" one hand rubbed across the fore
arm, che plays on the credulity Of his
friends;" the palm held outward, with
thumb and forefinger forming circle,
''she is very rich;" the fingers Of one
hand closed, except the thumb and li,tlc
finger, ''he's a sharper" Educated
Mexican men are great skcptics in relig-
ious matters-except when they are very
sick. The people are temperate. Young
girls are called '.pullcts;i marriageabic
men, ''young or old roostcrs," and the
street arabs who ogle ladies are known
rs "lizards." Americans who have mar.
ried Mexican women find it necessary to
live in Mexico, for their wives arc very
unhappy elsewhere. Mexican children
are never struck. Corporal punishment
in schools is prohibited by law. Corrcc-
tion takes the form of persuasion and ap-
peal. The result is that in all classes
gentle courtesy and consideration for
others prevail.
Hoodlum children are unknown in
Mexico. 4 hoodlum child is one who
has been cuffed and abused until he
naturally that is, according TO tho cx-
amples set HIM begins to kick and pound
others who are weaker than himself. The
step from this to other dee,fs oi violence
Is short.
One cannot tell half Of the graces and
courtesics Of the Mexican children. sin
the alameda, with kindly Difference. they
will always yield to elderly and infirm
persons their own coy and shady seats.
On entering sala, where there are few
or many guests, these cxquisitely polite
little gentlemen will so all around, shak-'
ing hands with every one present. They
never break into the conversation, but
when addressed will modcstly join il;
then. wishing to retire. will say, with
your kind permission and, again shak-
ing hands. move gracefully from the
company. Girls are no less imbued with
the same spirit of courtesy. A Mexican
boy never thinks himself too near man.
hood 10 pay the compliment to his mother
of kissing her hand every time he comes
into her presence.
The Mexican flowers are very deeply
colored. ''If rcd, il is the most glowing
and intense; if yellow or purple. tho
richest; il white or pink, the purest and
most delicate" Fresh flowers are abund-
ant and cheap throughout the year, in
Guiding roses, pansies, sweet peas. hello
tropcs. camollias and magnificent poppies.
..Calla lilies, the size of fan, bloom lux
uriant in every ditch" and the gera-
niums are rs tall as n man. Tho most
remarkable flower is the stree Of tho
little hands," n native Of tho colder re-
gion. The bright red flowers are well
defined miniature hands. II is slow Of
growth, not reaching full size in
100 years. In the Valley Of Mexico
fifty varieties Of lilies, no two alike,
bloom ON mountain. crag and plain.
The mortality Of the City Of Mexico is
fearful and half OF il is due to lung and
diarrhcal diseases. Tho Mexican capital
can hardly bc said TO have any system Of
drainage and sewerage. Catarrh is COM
mon among the Mcxicans, and when
they have colds they do not allow water
10 touch their faces. They have very
few nervous diseases. The cadence II
their lives IL too measured for that
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