MARRIAGE FEAST, 



221 



of the natives ; and thinking it would amuse me 

 to see this dinner, had asked me to join their 

 party. It appeared that, at such entertainments, 

 it was considered a creditable thing for the par« 

 ties to have the countenance of their former mas- 

 ters, or some person in better circumstances ; a 

 very natural feeling, and one which the higher 

 classes in that country appear to have great plea- 

 sure in gratifying. Indeed, I never have seen 

 in any part of the world a more amiable, or more 

 considerate and kindly feeling of superiors towards 

 their dependants, than exists in South America 

 and Mexico. In those parts, also, now very few, 

 where slaves exist, the manner in which they are 

 treated is highly exemplary. And it may be 

 said, generally, that in the Spanish colonies, or 

 in places occupied by the descendants of Span- 

 iards, the treatment of servants of every kind is 

 milder than in most other parts of the world. 

 This has sometimes been explained, on the sup- 

 position, that the oppression of the mother coun- 

 try might have taught the colonists gentleness, 

 and indulgence to such as were dependent upon 

 them. But experience shows, that the contrary 



