Mexico, its ancient and modern civilisation, history and political conditions, topography and natural resources, industries and general development; . England, and in a less degree the United States, andto spend years in Europe and live a life of ease, prefer-ably in Paris—that true Mecca of the Spanish-Americanpeople. The Mexican gentleman is generally courteousand punctilious, and gives much attention to dress andmatters of ceremony, after the general manner of theSpanish-American, and the frock-coat and silk hat formhis indispensable exterior whenever possible. Hiscourtesy pervades his busi
Mexico, its ancient and modern civilisation, history and political conditions, topography and natural resources, industries and general development; . England, and in a less degree the United States, andto spend years in Europe and live a life of ease, prefer-ably in Paris—that true Mecca of the Spanish-Americanpeople. The Mexican gentleman is generally courteousand punctilious, and gives much attention to dress andmatters of ceremony, after the general manner of theSpanish-American, and the frock-coat and silk hat formhis indispensable exterior whenever possible. Hiscourtesy pervades his business relations generally, aswell as social affairs. And, indeed, this pleasing qualitypermeates the whole social regime from the highestofficial or wealthy citizen down to the poorest peon orto the Indian labourer. The matter of courtesy, inaddition to being native both with the Spanishprogenitor and the native race, is, it might be said,part of the political Constitution. The republics ofSpanish-America at least regard all men as equal in thissense, a condition which is far from existing in theAnglo-Saxon Republic of the United States, where. I THE MEXICAN PEOPLE 161 brusque assertion of even the meanest authority isevident, in the present development of that is it to be supposed that Mexican poHteness is amere veneer, or mask, to be put on and off asoccasion dictates, for it arises from native kindhness—a species of Quixotism of a laudable nature. The Mexican largely shares the spirit of hospitalityof the Spanish-American race, and this, besides being anative characteristic, was strongly implanted in colonialdays by the very exigencies and circumstances of thetimes. In some parts of the country, until recent years,hotels or inns were unknown ; and it was sufficient forthe traveller to knock at almost any door to ask andreceive food and shelter for himself and his retainers andbeasts, even though the people of the place mightbe ignorant of his name or business
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