248 



CUSTOMS AND MANNERS. 



On my way back I thought I should die with gladness, when, 

 from the eminences which surround this capital, I first dis- 

 cerned the towers of its temples. I proceeded to my house : 

 the embraces of my family, and the tears of an unfeigned ten- 

 derness, were the congratulations we mutually bestowed on 

 each other. The confusion attendant on this joyous emotion 

 prevented me from noticing the innocent expressions of my 

 children. 



As soon as the first tumult of the afFe6tions was calmed, I 

 perceived that all these little creatures treated me with thou'*'. 

 I was surprized, and demanded of Teopiste whence sprang 

 this novelty, so opposite to the principles of education I had 

 laid down before my journey. She replied, coolly, that my 

 children had remained in the house of Democracia, her 

 mother, during my absence ; and that they had there been 

 taught that which was common among- all the classes of the 

 inhabitants. My surprize was augmented : I asked several of 

 my friends whether this was positively the custom in Lima ; 

 and had the mortification to receive the assurance, that the 

 greater part of the mothers, aunts, and grandmothers, not 

 only followed this low pra6tice of allowing themselves to be 

 addressed in the singular number by the infants who sur- 

 rounded them, but likewise gave it their encouragement and 

 support. 



I have not sufficient words to express the admiration, or, I 

 should rather say, the indignation, I felt on hearing this. 



* Among the Spaniards, as well as French, the famih'ar language of thee and 

 thou, is employed by equals united by close ties, in addressing each other, or by the 

 superior in accosting the inferior. 



The 



