The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-10-30
HABITS OF THE PORTUGUESE
S, characteristics, and AmuSementS of
Troubled Little Country.

Portugal that life without salt FISH would
be either possible or desirable II the
bays Of Newfoundland or the flOTds OF
Norway We're 20 fail, half OF Portugal
like the relocating Hindus. would prefer
10 go hungry rather than change their
diet II is eaten raw. il IS eaten boiled.
stewed. grilled and with garlic. Work
men tuck it in their pockets 10 guaw al
noon. fishermen carry il 10 sea, as GOALS
10 Newcastle Il solaces the Friday fast
Of good Catholics and graces his feast
again on Sunday.
Sixteen hours toll on a Portuguese farm
IS not enough 10 extinguish the gayety
Of the peasant. The vitality OF the people
seems 70 be buttressed by this killing toll
under the hot glare OF a cloudless sky and
IN the chill winds that blow from the sea.
The evening with IT'S village gathering on
the threshing floor 1.-THE social hall OF the
community. the dancing. the bowling.
the singing. the guitar playing. are a
compensation OF toll which the peasanJry
very willingly accept. In many parts OF
Portugal the men play on the guitar as
naturally as We whistle. not a. yirtuosi,
but with a fair proficiency Of stunning
accompaniment, chords and arpeggiOs for
a background 10 the voice.
The artisans play, and carry their in
stTuments 10 work with their tools
The tinkle Of the guitar starts heels 10
( Gathering. The dancing is interesting
even If it is not wholly graceful Its
character Is Oriental. Tor the Portuguese
are neither purely a northern nor a
southern breed, and this form OF art Of
their practice can be called SUCH they
derive chiefly from the Saracens. The
Portuguese dance has none Of the GOODNESS
OF the quadrine nor the formslity of the
mnUet: their bOlero dances are the spon-
taneous expression Of youthfulness and
health, not always graceful. for field
work and ballet pastures do not unite in
the same body
Among the middle classes Of the nation,
/ dependent as they may be on the fruits of
tillage. there is none of that voluntary
rusueation during a large part Of the year
which makes in England the legions of
country gentlemen. and which is being
copied in parts of America The Portu-
guese family leaves town only in the
dullest and hottest season. August and
| September, and possibly October The
vintage is being pressed and the harvests
gathered il Is also the season 10 shoot
quail and hare. The Portuguese go IN for
the villa. taught OF old by the Romans.
and the manner OF life there, allowing
for the Intervals. is not unlike
Appended TO the establishments is the
farm homestead for the tenants family.
The villa itself is plain: a sC.uare building
spread with whitewash outside and in;
caves broad and Overharging, covered
with vermilion paint on their under side,
/ Ordinarily the house has a single large
central room, rather bare, with a number
OF small cells for bed chambers opening
out Of il on three sides. The main apart
ment is furnished as we furnish a shack
/ by a woodland lake-with a few rickety
chairs and tables, anything for use. The
4 Portuguese piCniCker is casual as 20 his
pictureS-a series in the life and death OF
Pope Plus VII. the Battle OF the Nile,
! the loves Of SueZ de Castro or the legend
AIRY vision Of King Alfonso Henriques. OF
/ if the householder intends 10 provide eX-
| ira comfort for the sojourn. me proyis-
/ ion is furnished by an ox-cart load OF
extra furniture. The landlord bushes him
/ self with his livestock and his trellises
/ HIS daughters ramble in the gardens rich
/ with Towering plants of the old fashion,
the children swim oranges In the irriga-
ton trenches and the sons hunt.