The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1888-05-30
AM AMERICAN WoMAN's STORY
OF What She Saw in Mexico-Character
iStics of the People.

~ 10 Stlu Va IHS N1e@1CdAS, dS VI LILO
Russians, that in repose deep sadness is
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-
tstions are exceedingly cordial. "Men
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 outstretched,
they rush together for a second,
their breasts barely touch, and while
the observer is watching for kiss to
follow this ardent salute, they separate
and the abrazo is finished. The extreme
frankness accompanying it compels one
to admire the custom; for it means no
more than hand shaking among the
Americans If 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. Tile carriages halted, both
men alighted, removed hats, shook
hands, embraced, talked for a few
moments, again embraced, shook hands,
bowed, took off hats, and each entered
his carriage and went his way" The
formal salutation between women is a
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 it greatly to the American form of
greeting on the lips.
The Mexican makes really as many
gestures as Frenchman, and has quite
an extensive social sign language. Their
blowing of kisses from the fingers is a
graceful demonstration. A certain posi-
ton of the thumb and forefnger signi-
fes .sstop 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, che plays on the creduhty of his
friends" the palm held outward, with
thumb and forefnger forming a circle,
''she is very rich" the fingers of one
hand closed, except the thumb and little
finger, ''he's sharper" Educated
Mexican men are great skeptics in relig-
ious 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 a
gentle courtesy and consideration for
others prevail.
Hoodlum children are unknown in
Mexico. A hoodlum child is one. who
has been cufed and abused until he
naturally THAT is, according to the ex-
amples set hm) begins to kick and 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. In
the alameda, with kindly Difference, they
will always yield to elderly and infirm
persons their own cozy and shady seats.
On entering sala, where there are few
or many guests; these exquisitely polite
little gentlemen will go all around, shak
ing hands with every one present. They
never break into the conversation, but
when addressed will modestly join it;
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 to 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 red, it is the most glowing
and intense; if yellow or purple, the
richest; if white or pink, the purest and
most delicate Fresh flowers are abund-
ant and cheap throughout the year, in
cluding roses, pansies, sweet peas, hello
tropes, camellias and magnificent poppies.
''Calla lilies, the size Of fan, bloom lux
uriant in every ditch" and the gera-
NUNS are as tall as a man. The most
remarkable flower is the stree of the
little hands, a native of the colder re-
gion. The bright red flowers are well
defined miniature hands. 1t 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 ;s
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 COM
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.
Source OF Pure Water.
Tho hect wafer is that which has pone