Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1891-09-18
MEXICAN PASTlMES
THRILLING PLEASURES AND FLiHJA-
TioNs or AN EVENING PROMENADE.

TioNs or AN EVENING PROMENADE.
Martonette Performances and the Cfrcus-
Theatres aud BaiIs-The Great Ma
tsonai Amusement Of Bull Fighting.
The "PeIea do GaIios '--Gamss, Etc
n the English do, indeed, ataks their
pleasures sadly" then the Mexicans must
have somewhat Of relationship with the
former named nation, for tf,ese last. notwith- |
standing the vast amount Of vivacicus do |
scription expended upon their impuisive, |
passionate nature and fiery impetuosity Of |
behavior, maintain their native reserve and |
melancholy in their diversions as consist
emily as II It were an actual sin, or worse yet,
breach Of educacion that is, good form, |
good breeding) to display enthusiasm over
any matter Whatsoever.
The simplest form Of social gathering y
that varicusly known, according to the sec-
ton, as retreta, or serenata, q sort OF open
air reunion, or promenade concert, on the
main plaza usually, at which the people
gather ITO hear the lily white bandsnen
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
larger towns and cities have dozen or
twenty These plazas range from the bare,
dusty and unadorned open space In the vii
lage, through various grades OF setteed and
tree planted perimeter to the great zocalo
or plaza de armas of the capital city, with
| it's smoothly rolled walks, its grass and
| flower plots its great trees. its smart iron
benches, its fountains and columns, which
were surmounted by statues before they we're
annexed by an aesthetic minded chief magis
trate according to the gossips, its electric
lights and the pretentious pavilion for the
musicians who play there thrice a week
i Likewise, in the minor cities, on from one
to two nights weekly, usually Sundays and
Thursdays, sweet music is discoursed by the
really good bands one Of which is pretty
sure to be stationed in every garrison town,
at least To this levee al fresco flock the
ninas and the lagartijos-the damsels and
the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. 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 week-in the national capital daily
, there is music and parade more formal and
, more dressy than that on the plaza, and
: people promenade and drive during the
, appointed hours
| amusements proper are the titeres-a mari
onette perfornance-and in many towns
this is the only public diversion To those
s centers of population which seem to offer
D sufficient inducements comes the circus-the
r 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
o panies, according to the distance from the
Q metropolis and facilities for transportation
s the accommodations offered by the loca
d theatre building, the wealth of the com
d munity and the propensity of the citizens fol
, pleasure. Most of the larger towns, particu
I. larly the capitals have well arranged
Is theatres, fairly well patronized. though frs
It class troupes are rarely seen outside tn,
n national capital and few Of the larger cite
o near by, such as Puebla, Vera Cruz etc.
5. Even balls, or tertulias dancing parties,
IT would seem tame, weary, stale, fat ant
b Improbable to the youth Of the Unite'
70 States prone to seek sequestered hooks il
Ie conservatories and coigns Of vantage Of
It staircases, wherein to exchange speeche
a more or less confidential and sentimental
e. Such procedure would be social ruin to
o. Mexican girl The unwritten law demand
that the women at ball be ranged severed
together on one side of the room, the men O
the other The music begins for dance, th
e men make break" for their partners Th
lg piece over the ladies are restored TO thei
ne chaperones.
r, While bull fights may really be called tt
In great national amusement in Mexico, it mu:
not be supposed that public opinion on tn
p subject is undivided The champions of bu
fighting are very enthusiastic, but its opp
nents are numerous and vehement enough
in delight the hearts of the Society for the Pr
'r- vention of Cruelty people Occasionally
corrida de toros is organized by amateurs Il
purposes Of benefcence, and then the pre-
ng loads the unhappy projectors with censul
and satire While many high caste Mex
or cans undoubtedly delight in this sport, a vel
ca large number. regard it with adherence, al
is the Mexican ladies almost always EXPIRE
be against it disapproval, fear and horror.
The pelea de gallos, or cock fight, is
as much more brutal and sckening show thu
a bull fight 1t is a most vicious sport, to
Ter in the way of gambling, enormous sur
an being staked on the issue of these combat
ed The greatest attention is paid to the bree
in ing, rearing and care of the game cocks, al
IN animals of noted record are conveyed
tween distant towns of the republic to e
18th gage in these contests
os- Lectures, concerts, etc, are rare, a
are little followed on the plateau, but mo
as common in the warm lands, where, indet
no life in every respect assumes bright
ity gayer aspect under tropical influences.
dies ride little, though equestrian exercise
creeping in to some extent, chiefly throu
the influence of foreigners. Mexican m'
Cd of course, almost all ride SURPRISING
anu well Drives in Mexico are formal a
ney stupid matter, consisting OF monotone
, OF turns on the Alameda boulevard Picni
IN lawn parties. tennis, croquet and many ot
nas amusements dear to the Anglo-Saxon hes
ana are almost unknown in Mexico, due to
ree aforesaid social restrictions, which also sor
the hamper the line of evening calls, etc, Ri
'o oi ing and baseball begin to be known in
any tions affected by American contact, bu
aue will be long ere the youth of Mexico enj
cry an adequate share of amusement-i.
anu Adds in San Francisco Chronicle
low
VI Game of Mind Reading.
K of -. g. ,r,..r-r. v
In Ane ii'H. , rt . i.