The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-21
EASTER IN CHILE Is
NOT A GAY SEASON
Holiday Is Observed, but in a
Religious and Mystic
Manner.
CROWDS ATTEND MASS
Nothing Can Equal the
"Paseos," Writes Native Wom-
an Educated in U. s.


1t gives the Impressions of young
Chilean woman sent TO this country by |
the Chilean Government to receive a
normal school education and who Is at /
present engaged in editing a magazine
devoted to the interests OF Pan Amer |
ica.-Editor
By GRACIELA MANDUJANo,
Specially ,oritten for the Latin Amer
tcdn Section o. The Sun.
Not until we are able to rejoice with |
the people OF foreign country and
take part In their public festivities can
we say that we understand them. and
not until then should q visitor be al
lowed to pass judgment on the psy-
chology of nation. The traveller in
far away country never has such
vivid impressions of his own country
as in public festivity, and especially
when such fest1vity celebrated all the
world over brings back 10 memory
pleasant Incidents which happened on
similar occasions and causes compari-
sons to be made OF the different ways in
which different peoples react and ex-
press their emotions.
Easter Sunday in New York. for In
stance. has almost the character OF a
pagan festivity. Spring peeping out mis-
! chievously from every opening bud.
dancing In every sunbeam. smiling in
every breeze Is then officially welcomed.
and the women who parade In their
gay new bonnets and stylish new suits
form gallant pageant that adds to the
brightness OF the day. Forgotten are
| the pathos ard anguish that brought
to their hearts the accusing melodies Of
| the Stabot Mater and everybody re-
joices at the promise of the resurrection
OF Life come true.
The same holiday has maintained in
Santiago. the capital OF Chile, a more
| religious and mystic character, due, no
doubt. TO n great extent to the difference
| In climate. Naturally there is little
| reason to be gay, except that our Chris
| tian belief inspires US. For. although the
| sky may be Just as blue and the breezes
| Just as warm as in nldsprbng days.
everybody feels that the colder season
| Is near, and the beautiful ''paseos" along
the Alameda de las Delicias or up the
| winding paths OF Santa Lucia Hill. or
! around the Plaza, will have to be sus-
pended for long time.
OF course the young people themselves
would not be intimidated by a little
more or less chilliness In the air or by
! the falling w.thered leaves, but the chap
| erons who sit on the benches along
| the gardens TO watch the young people
| Idly passing to and fro exchanging banal
| remarks or swift glances look with sus-
| pic!on at the golden tips of the leaves
and cannot suppress a shudder when
| they see the mountains under which the
| city nestles are more deeply covered by
| the snow.
The crowd pouring out OF the churches
| after the noon mass may seem sombre
| and embarrassing to the visitor accus-
| toned to the gayer and smarter crowds
| Of European and North American cities
But let him watch for a while and
| pay attention to the individuals who
| compose II. and he may be able to dis
| cover a certain charm and distinction in
| the graceful little figures that emerge
wrapped up IN the classic "manto." The
| big square OF soft and clingtng black
| silk. pinned coquett!shIy. forming a frame
around an oval face and falling over
the shoulders, does not hide the viva
| cious eyes or the rebellious little Jet or
| golden curls-tt accentuates, perhaps
| the grace OF the figure and of the walk.
| He will probably notice with surprise
| the courteous attitude of the men who
meet them at the entrance For al
| though they do not believe IN such
| simple faith" they rather encourage the
| more romantic beliefs OF their women
| folk and escort them to the church door.
| where they patiently walt until the ser
| vice is over.
| And should the tourist become really
| interested he will follow the crowd In the
| "paseo" promenading with the men in
! silk hats or brilliant uniforms who go
| around the square in one direction while
the women walk in the other. or go
| north when the women go south and vice
| versa, in the consecrated block of the
| Alameda. He might even be able to
| catch many expressive glances II he IL
| observant and able ito put two and
two together" which might help him to
| weave a nice little story. should he be
| Economically inclined.
For those who are even slightly nc
! quainted with the habits OF the pee
| and with the gossip OF the day there
| Is nothing so entertaining as the 'paseo'
| with all It's characteristics OF an In
formal social gathering. where every
body knows or knows about everybody
else. Acquaintance do not stop 70 make
idle comments about the weather, as n
rule The "paseo" cannot be interrupt
ed A few clever. witty remarks that
contain a wealth of information are eX-
changed and the groups continue their
meanderinGs to pass on TO the next
conner the news thus acquired
Tho theme for those remarks is not
confined to social scandal. Politics art,
tho last picture exhibited in the Salon.
the success OF the last play by n ma
tlonal writer, tho orthodoxy OF the
preacher, the last strike of the univer-
sity students and, Of late the last Ger
man intrigue. perhaps the latest style of
narrow skirts. one thinks involuntarily
OF these Grecian meetings in the open
air.
The time to go home comes entirely
too soon Reluctantly the crowd scat
ters along the side streets Dirty. eager
little newshoys and florist girls with
baskets empty of violets come to play
and fght In the sunshine.
The city sleeps during the "s'esta"
hours: the streets are deserted and
noiseless, except here and there where
an air by Schubert, Chopin or Beethoven
correctly interpreted by mystic San
tiaguena. Nils the quietness with a
happy melancholy.
RED HELD AT BUEN0S AYRES.
Soviet Representative VIII 10 Sent