294 MEXICO. 
her in her comparative indigence, proved their admiration of talent, and 
the constancy of attachment, by the repetition of the most delicate and 
disinterested assiduities. 
It was in this Mexican liome, and not . from the unsympathizing dis- 
tance of the hotel and ball-room, (the scene of most travellers' observa- 
tion,) that I obtained my insight into the structure of Mexican society and 
character. (Had I kept myself aloof in my own house or my own inn, 
as is the habit of foreigners, I should have judged from the theatre, the 
passeo, the bull-ring, the cock-pit, and the gaming-table ', that the women 
were but so many painted dolls, without more education or soul than was 
required to languish over a love-sick play, or to ogle, with idle gaze, 
a favored cavalier. I might have supposed, too, that the men were 
supremely blessed by this dalliance with the sex, and considered them- 
selves in perfect elysium when they could divide their attention be- 
tween their sirens, their horses, and the card-table ; — but in the privacy 
of this dwelling] I learned to estimate the love and regard between pa- 
rents and children ; the beautiful benevolence of ancient friendship ; the 
universal respect for genius ; and, besides, had frequent occasion to no- 
tice the expanding spirit, ardent patriotism, desire of cultivation, and quick 
talent, which embellish the Mexican character. 
fit must not be said that I am estimating a country by one example ; — I 
am as far from so partial a judgment, as the opponents of Mexico are 
from a just one on their side of the question. It is true, that this family 
afforded me an extensive field of observation, but it chiefly served to stim- 
ulate my attention and inquiries elsewhere J] and I can frankly declare, 
that wherever I observed, I invariably found the same qualities of head 
and heart. Ht is this heart that is in fact the great characteristic of Mex- 
icans, and especially of their females. There is a noble naturalness, an 
antique generosity about them, which is the parent of a multitude of vir- 
tues, and it is by an abandonment of themselves to impulses, that so much 
irregularity and indiscretion have been frequently manifested, both in 
politics and society. 
I have said that the Mexicans are a people of quick talent, and my re- 
mark is borne out by the observation of all foreigners. They are quick 
to apprehend, quick of study, and quick in mastering a subject ; but this 
very facility, joined with their impulsiveness, is often fatal to their en- 
during application and progress. 
I came among these people an entire stranger, without especial claims 
on their attention, and studious to avoid that bill of exchange hospitality, 
which is the result of introductory letters from former, and, perhaps, for- 
gotten acquaintances. Yet mingling freely among all classes, and com- 
paring them now — when gratitude for acts of kindness has been long 
yielded and the annoyance of petty impertinences forgotten — I have none 
but kindly recollections of the people, and none but favorable impressions 
