The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-03-13
Among WOmen's Clubs.
EDITED ~ MRS. NELLIE o. verr,s.



by the Methodists i'm. Peru. Chilt Ar
gentine, Paraguay and Brazil. the pa
per closes
The paper was rendered the more in
| teresting because OF the fact that a
! large map of South America was used
and the various places Indicated as the
story Of the travels was unfolded.
s'n
The Ardlrhebiah club OF this city met
at the residence OF Mrs. Ira Winsor on
brighton street, Tuesday, March . The
| subject, Mexico" was most interest
ingy presented by Mrs. +. NJ. Horton
| and Mrs. John Backus. Mrs. George
Darling of the club. who has travelled
extensively in Mexico, showed some
beautiful specimens OF silver filigree
| Jewelry, silver souvenir spoons. opals
! with their natural mineral setting, also
| some Mexican curios, all of which were
| obtained i'm Mexico.
The first paper of the afternoon was
| by Mrs. Horton and dwelt particular
! ly upon the geographical and historical
| phases of the country. The former In
! cluded n survey of the positiOn-boun-
daries, area. climate, Industries and
| productions-of Mexico, together with
| a detailed account Of the capital of
! Mexico and other minor cities The
| latter included much of the interesting
! tradition and early history OF Mexico.
1 ION the elevated plateau" continues
! the paper, which with all its variety,
| seems a world of its own until within
/ the period of modern inventions all
! but inaccessible 10 the lower country
and the ocean beyond, we find the
| traces Of an ancient civilization reach
| ing backward until IL is lost in legend.
Long before the invasion of Ana
| huac by Cortes il was inhabitated by
! intelligent races OF men. The mystery
| which hangs about these people makes
| the search for their higtpTV full of in
terest
I'm the present native population we
| seek TO find some clue 20 the manners
and customs of the first inhabitants,
! by which TO read the meaning of the
monuments they have left. but they are
| gone: their institutions overthrown by
power stronger than they were, by
reason of the resources of advancing
civilization; their idols and temples ov-
erturned by the zalots Of another belief.
/ Visible proofs of their Importance exist
in the monuments, picture writings and
above all their traditions.
These traditions make of the early
settlers of Anahuac a very interesting
study. all the more from their shadoWy
nature, leaving still much margin for
fancy"
From this point the paper outlines
the history of Mexico under Charles V
OF Spain, Philip III and his successors,
and notes the causes which. after three
hundred years of neglect and misman-
agement, led Mexico to free herself from
Spanish rule.
The paper next considers Mexico as
an empire under Macmillan. The story
of the rise and tragic fall of the un-
fortunate emperor and empress was
given, when the essay takes up con-
sideration OF Mexico as "A republic. car
ries the thread Of the story down TO the
present time.
The development of Mexico as re-
public under Juarez. Lejada and Con
zalez was touched upon, when coming
down to modern times the republic,
under the able leadership Of President
DiaZ, was described as having seen its
darkest days. and as slowing winning
the confidence of other nations.
The second paper by Mrs Backus.
gave an account of the aborgines and
the early natives of Mexico. together
with a survey OF the present inhabi-
tants of the country, their customs,
habits and general characteristics.
In 1856 the population of Mexico was
estimated at 1900. .000-one-third Ind
ians one-sixth Europeans and Creole |
descendants and one-haf MesitiZoes or |
mixed people.
THE difference Of dress customs and /
languages" continues the paper. makes |
known the heterogeneousness Of the |
people, and there is nothing surprising, |
therefore, that they dress so much like |
the aboriginal population of the United |
States" The description of the variety !
of costumes by the inhabitants of MeXi- |
CO. the weapons of defense always af- |
fected by the Mexicans the religious !
beliefs and observances of the people /!
were alike found to be full of interest |
when, passing, the paper takes up a |
consideration OF the present native pop |
nlntiOn Of MpNirn In this pOnnpctipn /
the Mexican Indian, the Creole, the |
MestiZos, the Aztecs and the Lepero |
were described. The story of the latter !
Is interesting and may be quoted i'm |
brief: The union Of the lowest type |
of the Spanish and the Aztec race pro-
duce the Lepero, progeny that eXhib- /
it's all the vices with not a single vir-
tue of the parent stock Time has 4
hardened him and the miserable Lep- /
ero is the vilcst specimen OF humanity /
on the American continent. They are !
a kind of beggar no one can escape |
from; they are the terror Of the viceroy. |
In the revolutionary period they COM
mitted unheard of atrocities and upon |
the entry of the Americans into Mexico /
il was the Lepcro who, let loose from /
jail. murdered and pillaged friend and /
foe alike. Today we find them in the
portals OF churches sleeping at noon or
any time OF day"
The paper concludes with a descrip-
tlon OF the strong personality the nigh 4
character. and the able leadership of \
President Dia2, saying tina, Among /
those who have gone before ana those
VINO shall come after him, history will |
reserve a place fo~ The man who has
made The United States 0f Mexico the
second one who has worn and won the ]
title First in War, Fifst In Peace and
First in the hearts OF his Countrymen."
One of the most thoroughly success
ful events Ia the social life OF the En-
bress club was enjoyed az the home OF
Mrs. George kilton. Blackstone street.
on the afternoon Of Wednesday, March
S.
The business meeting was opened at
3 o'clock when r the absence OF the
president. Mrs. Ira Winsor. Mrs. ". B.
w. knight occupied the chair.
The Social Hour. which was In charge
OF Mrs. kilton. assisted by Mrs. Davis !
and Mrs. Booth, succeeded the business
hour and comprised program which