The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-02-17


speaking city, than throughout The whole
length and breadth of Spanish America.
To ride and use sword completes those
instructions bestowed upon the NeneZu-
elan Lanero; everything else a youth
picks I'D as best he NAV. With respect 10
this later accomplishment, it is never at all
perfect: A few tricks of fence, Joined with
strength and activity, sum up their quail
fications, and none of them could stand
before well-trained man.
1t is not easy to see these people
together, or have an opportunity for observ-
ing them in those lights which they cast
upon each other.
There arc no public meetings, except
when Instructions break out; at festas
the picture is so broken Up by want OF
unanimity in feeling, motive and occupa-
ton, q at all unity is lost.
Churches do not eX st eXcept at CEN erS
If population, where the barbaric element
does not show Corspcuo3sly; and perhaps
one OF the best places to go for enligEten-
ment is a fandango which has drawn its
guests ftom an ex ended range of country.
Fancy breezy, mo0nliphted iropic night,
and long tbatchcd shed, its levellcd
floor made of hardened ca III 1t is family
Illuminated with Carthenware lamps; lofty
carob trees and cesalpiniaG toss their
boughs above; everywhere swaying palm
fronds rustic, Towering vines exhale their
odors, and splendid flowers meet the eye.
promise between ii mandolin and toy
guitar, an immense and piethor.c banjo,
with several rattle boxes standing In place
of castanets. COMPOSE the orchestra.
Oftentimes their dramatic dances move
TO song music, and when whole com
pany Join in the action Of some wild and
plaintive chorus, ii is as il the figures in
one OF Salvador Rosa's pictures had GENE
TO life again. Here in this remote region
we sec the true Middle Age as it once was
everywhere. There is much that is sordid
and unsigiltly in these SURROUNDINGS
People say and do things as matters of
course which would strike an unprepared
stranger aghast, and their religion is the
strangest imaginable mixture of Christi
anity and heathenism.
Yet, illustrative Of that strong contrast
existing generally between conduct and
stamps them a whole. No one is seen
intoxicated there. The floor may be
stained with blood at any instant, but
usually rivals whisper few words, dis
appear with their friends, and after an
interval one comes back alone. How long
has it been since The like happened in
every gathering OF European mobiles, and If
one Dlames the women implicated instead
OF those circumstances which make them
what they are, remember that not such q
great while ago fair ladies languished in
royal saloons, with love letters written in
blood hidden beneath their corsages.
Over all these incongruites, this ugli-
ness and beauty, scenic effect and UNI
sightliness, there fingers still that sad and
stately grace which is inseparable from
the Spanish race. All these picturesque
braves have IL, and the pale graceful girls
yet more. One forgets that those senti-
ments expressed mean nothing, that in
the depths OF beautiful dark eyes there is
no soul. 'Ai de mi" as they say them
selves, let US look at this strange life from
fl4..r
understand why so much that is mOurnfu
lies in its music, i'm peoples faces, Tho
tones oil their voices, in all expressions o
feeling Travellers Of every nation hay.
noticed this trait, and many anthropolo
glsts explain IL in one way or another.
The question why does not require al
answer here; but in depicting Llaneros
one set OF conditions which determine thi,
result become evident. These men ar,
mongrels. I'm its aggregate the race mix
tuTe they represent foredOoms them. From
earliest times the land where they live hai
been. yexed with perpetual change ant
travail. Unrest and turmoil are in thei
blood. Perturbation with fierce and futil,
StTiVingS fill the story Of their past No
one OF them is well fed for in the midst @
plenty they are incapable of providing
themselves. Impoverished blood circu
1ateS IN their brains, an utter disregard O
sanitary laws deteroTates the general physi
cal condition, and such things as SCUM,
minds and unsOund bodies united. no MAJ
has ever seen.
Approach that draped figure standin
under lamp. The somber hues Of hi
poncho show that the frivolities and vani
ties OF youth have passed; his distorted
legs indicate a lifetime passed in the sad
ole. Oner him cigar, suggest a drinl
with the grave and lofty forms of 10th cen
tury Spanish courtesy-"A little cup, sir