Mountain Home bulletin. (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1888-1889, 1888-09-22
MEXICAN PASTlMES.
rRIfLING PLEASURES AND FLiRrA-
TlONS OF AN EVENING PROMENADE.

IIOTNS OF AIN EVCNilH1 fhOMGNRO6s
Marionette Performances and the Circus.
Theatres and BalIs-The Great Nh
tionai Amusement of Bull Fighting.
The Pelea de Caiios '-Games, Etc.
IF the English do, indeed, stake their
pleasures sadly then the Mexicans must
have somewhat OF a relationship with tho
former named nation, for these last, notwith-
standing the vast amount Of vivacious de-
scription expended upon their impulsive,
passionate nature and fiery impetuosity Of
behavior, maintain their native reserve and
melancholy in their diversions as consist
emily as If it were an actual sin, or worse yet,
a breach of educacion that is, good form,
good breeding, to display enthusiasm over
any matter whatsoever.
The simplest form OF social gathering Is
that variously known, according to the Sec
tiOn, as retreta, or serenota, a sort OF open
air reunion, OF promenade concert, on the
main plaza usually, ut which the people
gather ITO hear the lily white bandsmen
play" Every Mexican city, town, village
or hamlet, above the limits of a rancho-in-
deed, often the haciendas, even--has at least
one plaza or open square for public use. The
MTGeT tOWuS Euu cltleS nave uoZeu CT
twenty. These pla2as range from the bare.
dusty and unadorned open space in the viii
lage, through various grades of setteed and
tree planted perimeter to the great zocalo
or plaza de armas Of the capital city, with
its smoothly rolled walks, its grass and
flower plots, its great trees, its smart iron
benches, its fountains and columns, which
were surnounted by statues before they were
annexed by an aesthetic minded chief nagis-
trate according to the gossips), its electric
lights and the pretentious pavilion for tho
musicians who play there thrice week.
Likewise, in the minor cities, on from one
to two nights weekly, usually Sundays and
Thursdays, sweet music il discoursed by the
really good bands, one of which Is pretty
sure to Ike stationed in every garrison town,
at least To this levee al fresco flock the
nlnas and the lagartijo jos-the damsels and
the dandies-mesdemoiselle nesting coyly
beneath the wing of mother or some other
relative
Most towns In Mexico have an alameda, or
species of boulevard; and here, also, once or
twice n week-in the national capital daily
there is music and a parade more formal and
more dressy than that on the plaza, and
people promenade and drive during the
appointed hours
The lowest in Importance Of Mexico's
amusements proper are tho ttereS-a mari
orette performance-and in many towns
this is the only public diversion. To those
centers OF population which seem to offer
sufficient inducements CONES the circus-the
great American circus-on its yearly tour
through the provinces during the of season
in Mexico city. The larger towns are visited
with more or less frequency by theatre COM
panies, according to the distance from the
metropolis and facilities for transportation,
the accommodations offered by the local
theatre building, the wealth OF the com
munity and the propensity of the citizens for
pleasure Most of the larger towns, particu.
larly the capitals, have well arranged
theatres, fairly well patronzed, though frs.
class troupes ara rarely seen outside the
national capital and a few Of tho larger cities
near by, such as Puebla, Vera Cruz, etc.
Even balls, or tertulias dancing parties,
would seem tame, "weary, stale, fiat and
>unpro6table' to the youth OF the United
States prone to seek sequestered hooks II
conservatories aud coigns Of vantage or
staircases, wherein to exchange speeche.
more or less confidential and sentimental
Such procedure would be social ruin to
Mexican girl. The uuwritten law demands
that the women at ball be ranged severely
together on one side Of the room, the men OF
the other. The music begins for dance, tn,
men make a break" for their partners Tn,
piece over, the ladies are restored to thei
chaperones.
While bull fights may really be called th,
great national amusement in Mexico, it mus
not be supposed that public opinion on thi
subject is undivided. The champions of blIl
fighting are very enthusiastic. but its oppo
pfc N ,p1,
delight the hearts Of tho Society for the Pre-
vention of Cruelty people. Occasionally
corrida de toros is organized by amateurs 70
purposes Of beneflcence, and then the pres
loads the unhappy projectors with cens,ir
and satire. While many high caste Mexi
cans undoubtedly delight in this sport, a yer,
large number regard it with abhorrence, an,
the Mexican ladies almost always expires
against it disapproval, fear and horror.
The pelea do gallos, cock fight, Is
much more brutal and sickening show thai
bull fight. 1t Is a most vicious sport, toe
In the way Of gambling, enormous sum
being staked on the issue OF these combats
The greatest attention is paid to the breed
ing, rearing and care of the game cocks, an,
animals Of noted record are conveyed be
tween distant towns Of the republic to Ell
gage in these contests
Lectures, concerts, etc, are rare, an
poorly patronized in Mexico. Parlor game
are little followed on tho plateau, but NOR
common in the ''warm lands, where, indeed
life in every respect assumes brighter
gayer aspect under tropical influences. La
dies ride little, though equestrian exercise
creeping In to some extent, chiefly throug
the influence of foreigners. Mexican men
Of course, almost all ride surpassingl
we'll Drives in Mexico are formal an
stupid matter, consisting Of monotonou
firms on the Alameda boulevard. Picnic.
lawn parties. tennis. croquet and many othe
amusements dear to the AnglosSaxon heart
are almost unknown in Mexico, due to tb
aforesaid social restrictions, which also sorel
hamper the line OF evening calls, etc Rinl
ing and baseball begin to be known in SET
tions affected by American contact, but
will be long ere the youth Of Mexico enjoy
an adequate share of amusement 1
Adds in San Francisco Chronicle.
Gime Of Mind Reading.