Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-10-19
THE MEXICANS.
Hospitable, Demonstrative. Musie-Loy-
ing Feople-Their Customs.
Dudes and Poodles to be Found Even In Mex
ico-The Mantilis Still In Use-Grsat
Kissers and Church Goers.

CITY OF MEXICO, Oct. l2.-Now that
the fetes have somewhat subsidized will
say q few words about the manners and
customs of the Mexican people. Cour-
tesy and hospitality are one of the char
acteristic features of this country, and
no matter where you go, whether to a
place of business or to the home, your
welcome Is warm and spontaneous, and
q universal saying when you leave is,
this house is yours, which is an Invitation
to return. They are very demonstra-
tive. Ladies kiss each other half a.
dozen times on meeting, and as many
times II not more at departure. They
never kiss except on the cheeks, presum-
ably they save the lips for other kisses.
But the embraces are not all confined to
the weaker sex, men embrace their
friends and pat each other on the back.
It is quite amusing to watch them. In
passing on the streets, instead of saying
howdy they say adios-good-bye.
There are dudes and poodles in Mexico,
two of the greatest nuisances city can
have. but without doubt the former is
the more annoying. The dudes, or as
they arsIcalleo here, un lagartiio, are of
two kinds.
THE CITY AND THE COUNTRY DUDE.
The former resembles all other city
dudes. The other attracts the attention
by his picturesque costume. He prauces
up and down the principal streets on the
prettiest of horses, wears the most gold
lace and buttons, the tightest trousers,
and the widest Of sombreros, and the
trappings of his horse and saddle are
most elaborate. But / must remark,
that all who come to the city In such
array are not dudes, but some of the
richest and highest class, who live out of
the city on their haciendas, and who still
adhere to the old Spanish costume, which
is far more pleasing to the eye than the
modern way of dressing, but unfortu-
nately 1t is fast disappearing. Among
that class can be found descendants of
the true Castilian race, with fair and
rosy skin, and jet black hair and eyes.
For ladies of high degree, the mantilla
is still IN use, especially for church
wear. Many bewitching face is seen
peering from under that pretty head
dress, but it is also disappearing, the
hat which Is far less pretty taking its
place, and in few more years all their
pretty modes of dressing will belong TO
the past. The middle class wear a black
shawl, which serves both as
WRAP AND HEAD GEAR,
and when seen at church they all have
the appearance of being nuns. They are
great church goers (all Catholics, of
course), especially the lower aud middle
classes. Morning and evening the bells
are rung for at least two hours, at an in
tervel of few minutes, and the faithful
can be seen hurrying to church, some
only for short prayer, others for the
whole services. The higher class is also
religious. but as the evening ia the hour
for the fashionable drive, their evening
devotions are postponed until rainy
days.
Their mode of counting Is interesting.
They are far from having the freedom of
their northern sisters, although they
have a little more than formerly. A
young man will stand under the window
of his lady love, and il she chances to
come out, which she seldom fails to do,
they exchange smiles, mods and some
times a few words; the next day the
same thing over. I've had the opportu-
nity of studying it, for across from us is
a young lady who goes through that
maneuver every day and sometimes
be on the sidewalk and she at the second
story. converse for half an hour at
time, perfectly unconscious of the
passers by. No chances for a runaway
here; / suppose 1t is unknown, and of
course divorces also. But all do not
court under the balconies. The higher
class receives in the house, of course, the
whole family in attendance.
Smoking is permitted everywhere, at
the restaurants and hotels, on the street
cars, ct the theater. Some ladies
indulge. but it Is mostly among the old
generation. 1t is seldom seen among
the young ladies belonging to the higher
class. But it is always polite for a gen.
tleman to offer his cigarette case to the
ladies'. They are music-loving people,
whose souls are moved by any harmo-
NOUS sound, and If love of music is a test
few Mexicans are fit for treason or
stratagem. No jacal is too humble but
its walls will listen to the sweet notes of
some guitar; no village SO small but its
band of native musicians will play in the
little alameda or park in the evening.
In the larger towns and great cities there
is music in some plaza or park every
day by the military bands. an example
set by the government which ought to be
copied by other nations.
There Is music everywhere; there's
music in the air-a music peculiar to the
people and country. There are songs of
praise of mirth and songs of home. They
have their "Home, Sweet Home,'' in
the notes Of :La Goloudrina. - 1t touches
their hearts as "Home. Sweet Home"
touches yours, and brings memories of
palace or adobe. Whether the soft notes
of LA Galoudrlna" are picked from the
strings of guitar or sung by
some black-eyed senorita or played by
ssme orchestra 1t stirs up all there is of
sentiments, even in the stoutess hearts,
and glisteping eyes and quicker heart
throbs tell Ahat the melody reaches the
soul. MARIE LoUBENs.