Page:Face to Face With the Mexicans.djvu/389

Rh All the leading writers of the city were present, and each one read an original poem written specially for the occasion. With something of the enthusiasm of the time, I recall a charming poem by Juan de Dios Peza. His rich, soft voice is wonderfully effective; its sonorous intonation and smooth inflections, added to the eloquent gestures of the reader, carried his hearers along with rapturous enjoyment.



But Altimirano, Francisco Sosa, Juan Mateos, and others, as they stepped before the audience with dignified and graceful bearing, received an equally hearty greeting.

Our distinguished host read a poem full of dramatic effect, based upon the tales of the pirates of the Gulf. A most weird and peculiar effect was added to this reading by a piano accompaniment composed and dedicated to the author by a señorita, a musician of great celebrity. The voice of the reader and the tones of the piano flowing in admirable accord, now moved the audience to tender sympathy, again aroused soul-thrilling emotions or blood-curdling horror at the will of poet and musician.