Evening star., 1909-09-12

so hard for social pleasure would appall
the most ambitious leader"
-.
The American ambassador explained
that the pitfall of the American capital
official precedence is static rather than
dynamic in his country and that social
functions are never what might be
termed demonstrations as in Washington.
The official world visits and receives visits
for ten months of the year. twelve, if they
feel so disposed, and they give dinners
and balls and go to dinners and balls
after the same program. During the
rainy season, the social functions are
given in the forenoon and calling may be
indulged in after the day has closed, ac-
cording to the idea which prevails in the
north countries. There are functions
which are planned after the court cere-
monials. but they are simple as those In
the White House. There are state din
ners and levees, but on the whole the
Mexican belle has a much less strenuous
winter than her American sister, ana
much more pleasure, too-~ Balls are the
favorite amusement, as in all the Latin
countries and they are given so frequent
ly that the votary of terpsichore may
find diversion every evening of the week
instead of on occasion as In washington.
In everyday life the MeXicans cling to
their conservative customs, as, for ex-
ample, the wearing of mourning Is uni
yersal. 1t is donned not only for relatives,
but for friends. If girl loses playmate
or a close companion she wears black
for thirty days If the parent of ..ef best
friend dies, she wears black for fifteen
days Ties of friendship are greatly es-
teemed even among young children.
The ambassador notes that so many
Americans now reside permanently In the
City of Mexico that there is no longer
what is called the American colony, but
the American part of the city. Many are
in the capital for pleasure but more
for business or commercial enterprise.
They become enthusiastic admirers of the
country. and jealous in learning the le-
gends and folk lore. Mexico is the land
of romance and every spot seems to
have its legends. These legends are told
to the stranger with painstaking detail
and soon the American resident becomes
as good a cicerone as the most ancient
hidalgo Then some American writer's
have added fame to the country and they
are generally beloved and widely read In
Mexico. "The Fair God" by Lew Wal
lace, continues one of 1he most universal
ly read and admired books in the country
and the dainty sketches of Thomas jan
vier are spoken of with praise JOAQUIN
Miller has written some of his most stir
ring verses on the land of the hidaleoes
Europe, or what we know as the older
countries. said the ambassador, .is not
more fascinating to the lover of bistorv
than the City of Mexico. 1t is a paradise
for the antiquarian, whether his taste
runs TO folk lore or to rocks and ruins
In the domain of history some great
American writer's have Illuminated o,1r
pages and the ties which bind are not
only commercial. but founded on sincere
literary admiration.
American visitors are Jealous seekers
after historical spots. They trace every
link in the old city, which connects its
history TO the somber days of Cortez and
before him to the dynasty of the Mon
tezumas find that in this country the