New-York tribune., 1898-01-23

their flowers their time. even their lives, are
placed. fguratively. at least "at your dispose
"A los pies de V. Sehora" CMy lady. l am at
your feet) is the prescribed form Of salutdtion
from a gentleman who meets lady; while l,
two gentlemen meet they address one anothei
follows: "Beso V. Ia mano' q kiss your
hand).
The same applies to written correspondence.
\ note from gentleman to lady ends IN TINS
wise: Soy de v Sonora, atcntO scrvidOr. q.
IS PIP b. The initials are for que sus pies
besa" and the whole phrase stands for i am,
my lady. your attentive servant who kisses your
feet"
If a gentleman is addressed in writing. only
his hands are kissed. not his feet.
These formuiR are followed not only by the
richer, but by all classes. As to the poorest
their courtesy toward one another is widely dif-
fercnt from the gruff bOOrish intercourse Of the
plebcians Of other nations.
The poor Of Mexico cannot frame sentence
without employing one or more terms OF en-
dearment
Como estas. mi alma" CHow are you. my
soulO The words they address t. each Othcr
speak Of the gentle consideration for the feel
incs Of their neighbors which characterizes the
race and emanates from spontaneous courtesy.
\ Mexican gentleman Will never permit lazy
to descend the stairs unaccompanled lie tahes
her softly by the hand or offers his arm 10 as
sst her in going down the steps. and only taxes
leave Of her at the street door, when ne upes
not insist in leaving the lady at her own nome.
often in their ranbles through me AISe
cities of the country strangers lose their way
and have recourse to their sometimes scant
knowledge Of Spanish to be put in the rlSht
road An .nVaridbe courtesy-when thv strdh-
ger addresses q man not Of the lowest class
| Is the result
Love is NOR" the business II life In Mexico
| than in Northern climes. perhaps because Otner
| people have more diversions than We have. Inc
lady love is ariently styled the very eyes oi
me-" but that does not prevent the MeXlcah
beau when stung by jealousy. from denpuhclhS
love treachrrOus
Since there is no help. bow before you. kiss
your feet and depart" IS the becoming way IN
which the unrequited lover takes eaVe oi the
girl that has given him the cold shoulder
All hope is over love Is stretched upon MS
bier but the Mexican whom beauty despises,
although naturally angered at the slight. pre-
tends to feel more keenly than anything the
annoyance h. has given her with his unre-
mittIng attentions. Excuse me. fair lady FOR
having put YOU ID the troub" Of repeng the
audacious revelation Of the feeling you have
awakened in my bosom" such IS the mi.d
! form in which he gives vent - his rage ana
despair
/ Race. of course. has had its influence in pro
noting this spirit II courtesy ana clNl.y II
/ is an Inheritance from the old colonlai iay ;;
/ The descendants Of the NicerOy ana "oIdores
Of New Spain acquired by tn exercise oi p"Wtr
and wealth a certain advantage oi manner anu
I ton. transmitted through several generations
10 the Mcxicaus u to-day. and hiSh breeding
/ was th. result in al classes that came In con
tact with the old Spanish cavaliers or with their
! offspring
! II may be set down certainty that M
| society is more refined than that where a poor
! pe1r has the manners IF a gentleman