Page:Face to Face With the Mexicans.djvu/291

Rh are sent, if nothing more, but more frequently it is some delicious article of food or drink, or a piece of jewelry.

Social usages show no signs of change or relaxation, even with the advancement so manifest in every other direction. Many of them may seem formal and useless—based on the tedious Spanish etiquette—but they are not without charm as well as meaning; and in comparison with our own rather free and informal ways one might wish that a happy medium might be found. Many of the customs are admirable; and always the culture, ease, kindliness, and elegance with which they are observed must commend themselves to our brisk, business-loving and energetic countrymen.

Those agreeable features of American and English home life, informal luncheons, teas, and the unceremonious happening-in of a few friends to a "feast of reason and a flow of soul," or perhaps games and music, and whatever else may be, are wanting among the Mexicans. The merenda, a mid-afternoon luncheon, which takes place after the siesta, consists of a cup of chocolate or coffee with some sort of fancy cake or bread. It is the only small social feature of every-day life, and a friend may drop in and partake of it without ceremony. But they are happy in their own way, and a departure from it would be rather painful than otherwise. The love for pomp and ceremonious display leads them to discard simple and unostentatious entertainments, which makes a narrow limit to their social existence. Hence, if the wealthy indulge but seldom, those of less means, being unable to cope with them, though in comfortable circumstances, abstain from any, except on occasions of domestic festivals—christenings or weddings. But there are many smaller hospitalities which always prove acceptable. One is scarcely seated before being asked to have something, and generally delicious chocolate is served sin ceremonio.

A high estimate is placed on dress and external appearance. The taste for rich and gorgeous clothing belongs to them by heredity—Montezuma himself giving an example. We read of his mantle of the plumage of rare and brilliant-hued birds, his gold-embroidered clothing, that "his half boots were set with jewels, their soles being of