MEXICAN CHARACTER. 295 
of the mass of a society, in which I had been taught to believe that I 
should be held in utter antipathy as a heretical stranger. 
There are, of course, in Mexico as in all other countries, specimens of 
egotism, selfishness, haughtiness, ill-breeding, and loose morals, both 
among the men and the women ; but, although we find these floating-like 
bubbles on the top of society, they must not therefore be considered the 
characteristics of the country. You must separate from the multitude the 
few who sometimes lead and control the masses that do not wish to come 
in contact or conflict with them. A nation in which " revolutions and coun- 
ter-revolutions are events of almost daily occui*rence, is naturally prolific 
in desperate and crafty political adventurers," and dissimulation and strat- 
agem may, in time, form the chief element of the character of such a 
people, — yet such, it is hoped, is not to be the corrupting fate of Mexico. 
The idea that large social entertainments require great magnificence 
and lavish expense, deprives the Mexicans, in their towns, of many of 
those agreeable gatherings which fill up so pleasantly our winter nig'hts 
and autumn evenings ; but it is on their haciendas or plantations,. that 
their hospitality is most distinguished. As you had occasion to remark 
in the account of my journey to the tierra caliente, nothing is withheld 
from you ; — their establishments are placed at your entire control," and 
the welcome is as sincere as it is hearty and cheerful. 
That they are brave, none will doubt who read the history of their War 
of Independence; although the bad discipline (especially of their officers,) 
has prevented the very eminent exhibition of this quality in their foreign 
battles. In fact, regard them in any way, and they will be found to pos- 
sess the elements of a fine people who want but peace and the stimu- 
lus of foreign emulation, to bring them forward among the nations of the 
earth with great distinction. 
Their geographical position, however, is very unfavorable for thig emu- 
lative stimulus. They are placed among the mountains, on an isthmus con- 
necting two large Continents, while their teri'itory is washed by two seas. 
They are cut off by a large belt of savage country from us at the north, 
and the communication with Europe is both distant and uncertain. They 
have a small population, spread over an immense territory, and want, 
therefore, both the constant comparison of the intellect of other nations, 
and social compacting or aggregation among themselves. I can (from 
personal experience,) state how disagreeable is this want of intercourse 
with the rest of the world. There is intelligence from the United States, 
perhaps, once a month, and about as often from Europe. The informa- 
tion brought by these arrivals, passes chiefly into the hands of the mer- 
chants, — and, after a while, is gradually translated in fragments for 
some of the meagre newspapers, which treat you, months afterward, to 
a refacciamento of the stories or improvements that you had already for- 
gotten. In this respect, our community of language with Great Britain is 
