Page:Journal of American Folklore vol. 31.djvu/303

Rh important and noteworthy changes and developments. There are very few direct points of comparison to be made between the material in question and similar material which we have seen from other Spanish regions. Such a condition of affairs seems to argue in favor of modern developments and a gradual separation from the Old-Spanish traditions and sources; and the fact that the folk-lore of Porto Rico in its general aspect — considering the folk-tales, riddles, coplas, décimas, ballads, etc. — shows striking similarities to the folk-lore of New Mexico, Chile, Mexico, Argentina, Spain, etc., convinces one that Spanish tradition lives in full vigor there in all its manifestations, as in all Spanish countries. The striking differences noted in the case of one type of décimas and Christmas carols, therefore, argues in favor of modern developments; and these certainly cannot continue forever in parallel channels in the great and populous Spanish-speaking world of to-day.

The problem of the choice of poetic forms and subject-matter for poetic compositions for further continued development and popular diffusion is certainly not easy to determine. There may be many reasons for the choice; and in some cases it can well be due to mere accidental circumstances, as in the case of the dissemination among peoples of any other folk-lore theme, whether it be poetry or prose. Here enter, no doubt, also problems of climate, racial characteristics, political and religious history, and many other problems. We have not sufficient material at our disposal to enter into a discussion of any of these problems here. I am inclined to believe, however, that social characteristics play an important part in the choice of some poetic forms and subject-matter. It may be that the popularity and great diffusion of the shorter Christmas carols in Porto Rico, especially those where the aguinaldo involves a request for gifts or sweets, may be partly due to the large number of people of Negro blood, humble and poor peons, whose chief occupation is the seeking of their daily bread. Again, these people may be more religiously inclined, more primitive and sentimental in character; and the beautiful Christmas carols which speak of the little infant Jesus in the cradle at Bethlehem, the shepherds, the Magi Kings, etc., may have appealed more strongly to their simple imaginations.

As for the value of the materials here published as folk-poetry, the readers will form their own judgment. Most students of folk-poetry will agree, I believe, that the present collection contains real gems of popular poetry. Some of the décimas and a few of the shorter aguinaldos show real inspiration, and many a Spanish poet has not written better poetry. As we say later, also, there is a remarkable perfection in the various metrical forms and variations used. The many imperfections found in some of the compositions are due, I believe, to the school-children and others who copied them.