Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 1.djvu/101

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 Domestic habits.—Separation of the sexes.—Effects of national isolation and civil war.—Courtship and marriage.—Want of social meetings.—Hospitality.—Drives and visits.—Treatment of servants.—Priestly intermeddling and extortion.—Gossip and scandal.—A persecuted family.

domestic habits of the Mexicans, viewed in relation to the different classes of society, are decidedly coarse, selfish, and sensual. The female character is held in little respect by the greater portion of the community, and the tone of manners is repulsive and unpolished in consequence. The custom, so prevalent, of the men living and taking their meals in the better apartments, while their wives and daughters remain below, is, as well may be supposed, most detrimental to all parties: the men becoming gross among themselves, and the women sinking into a state of listless degradation. This