222 SUAVITY OF MANNERS. 



embark upon these perilous jaunts unarmed, 

 it is evident they depend greatly upon good 

 luck and swiftness of hmbs, and still more 

 upon the protection of their favorite saint, 

 la Virgen de Guadalupe. 



The Mexicans, like the French, are remark- 

 able for their politeness and suavity of man- 

 ners. You cannot visit a friend but he assures 



you that, " Estd V. en su casa, ypuede mandar. 



etc. (You are in your own house, and 

 command, etc.), or, "Estoi/ enteramentc a su 

 di^osicion" (I am wholly at your disposal), 

 without, however, meaning more than an ex- 

 pression of ordinary courtesy. Nor can you 

 speak in commendation of any article, let its 

 value be what it may, but the poHte owner 

 immediately rephes, " Tdmelo, V. Senor; es 

 suyo (Take it, sir; it is yours), without the 

 slightest intention or expectation that you 

 should take liim at his word. — IMr. Poinsett 

 observes, " Remember, when you take leave 

 of a Spanish grandee, to bow as you leave 

 the room, at the head of tlic stairs, where the 

 host accompanies you ; and after descending 

 the first flight, turn round and you will see 

 him expecting a tlurd salutation, which he 

 returns with great courtesy, and remains un- 

 til you are out of sight ; so that as you wind 

 down the stairs, if you catch a ghmpse of 

 him, kiss your hand, and he will think you a 

 most accompUshed cavaher." Graphic as 

 this short sketch is, it hardly describes the 

 full measure of Mexican pohteness; for in 

 that country, when the visitor reaches the 



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