Daily Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1882-1893, 1888-05-16

= rowing up IN Mexico. Mexican salu-
tltions are exceedingly cordial Men
tail into each others arms and remain
thus for several minutes, patting each
other on the shoulder and indulging in
all sorts of cudearing epithets' Another
salutatiOn. even between friends of op-
posite sex, is thus described. In the
quickest, most splrited manner the arms
of both parties are outstretchej,
they rush together for a second,
their breasts barely touch, and while
the observer is watching for q kiss 10
follow this ardent salute, they separate
and the abrazo is finished. The extreme
frankness accompanying it compels one
10 admire the custom; for il means no
more than hand shaking among the
Americans. II friends meet twenty
times 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 q few
moments, again embraced, shOk hands,
bowed, took off hats, and each entered
his carriage and went his Way." The
formal salutation between wtmen is
tap Of the right hand on the lef ihoulder,
and then generous shake of the hand.
Women who are intimate frs nds not
only tap the shoulder, but hy their
cheeks softly together for an Instant.
A lady traveller commends thi sort OF
feminine salutation, and evidently pre-
fers it greatly to the American form Of
greeting on the lips.
The Mexican makes really as many
gestures as a Frenchman. and has quite
an extensive social sign language. Their
blowing of kisses from the fingers is q
graceful demonstration. A certain posi-
ton Of the thumb and forefnger agni-
iies "stop a moment" One arm held
half upright. with the elbow In the other
hand, means she is too stingy to pay his
debts" one hand rubbed across the fore
arm, "he plays on the credulity Of his
friends" the palm held outward, with
thumb and foretnger forming q circle,
"she is very rich;' the fingers OF one
hand closed, except the thumb and little
I finger, ''he's a sharper" Educated
Mexican men are great skeptics in relig-
: ;Ous matters-eXcept when they are very
sick. The people are temperate. Young
girls are called '.pullets;' manageable
men. "young or old ROSTERS and the
street arabs who ogle ladies are known
as lizards Americans who have mar
ried Mexican women find it necessary to
! live in Mexico, for their wives are very
unhappy elsewhere. Mexican children
are never struck Corporal punishment
in schools is prohibited by law. Correc-
ton takes the form Of persuasion and ap-
peal. The result Is that in all classes q
gentle courtesy and consideration for
others prevail.
| Hoollum children are unknown in
Mexico. A hoodlum child is one who
has been cuffed and abused until be
naturally that is, according TO the eI-
amples set HIM begins 10 kick aud pound
others who are weaker than himself. The
step from this TO other deeds of violence
is short.
One cannot tell half of the graces and
courtesies Of the Mexican children. I'm
the alameda, with kindly difference, they
will always yield to elderly and infirrn
persons their own coy and shady seats.
On entering a sala. where there are few
or many guests, these eXquistely polite
little gentlemen will so all around, shak-
! ing hands with every one present. They
never break into the conversation, but
when addressed viii modcstly Join III;
then. wishing 20 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 ohis mother
Of kissing her hand every time he comes
into her presence"
The Mexican flowers are very deeply
colored. IF red, II is the most glowing
and intense; if yellow or purple, the
richest; il white or pink, the purest and
most delicate Fresh flowers are abund-
ant and cheap throughout the year. in
GLIDING roses, Ransies, sweet peas, hello
tropes, camellM and magnificent poppies.
NAl4tA illitNs lilt SIC W " luilt ulnAul lux
uriant in every ditch" and the gera-
NUNS are rs tall as man. The most
remarkable flower is the ''tree of the
little hands," native Of the 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 it is due TO lung and
diarrheal diseases. The Mexican capital
can hardly be said TO have any system Of
drainage and sewerage Catarrh is CON-
mon among the Mexicans, and when
they have colds they do not allow water
TO touch their faces. They have very
few nervous diseases. The cadence Of
their lives is too measured for that
Cincinnati Commercial Gazette Book Re-
view.