Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 8.djvu/451

 AROUND THE ISLAND OF CEBIJ ON HORSEBACK 435

considered a rudeness. All Americans are supposed to drink whiskey, and much whiskey. The natives do not understand why a part of us should be total abstainers and the rest given to excess. They themselves are very temperate.

The table etiquette is Spanish in origin. All the plates are stacked up in front of one at the beginning of the meal. Meat,

TYPICAL SCENERY.

strange to say, forms the principal part of every course. Rice seems to be the only vegetable in everyday use, and it is served three times a day. What the master does not like he often spews out of his mouth to the cats and dogs on the floor. Women and children do not appear much in public. The host will accept nothing for his hospitality, and repeatedly assures you that the house and all it contains are yours.

In the organization of the provinces there is nothing that corresponds to our counties or townships. Under the provincial government consisting of an elected governor and two Ameri- cans appointed to the offices of treasurer and supervisor are