tender minor tones the high staccato movement and the short, quick rest—a style to be observed both in the voice and instrument.
A marked difference may be noted in the melodies of the plains and low country and those of elevated and mountainous regions—the former being soft and pathetic, while the latter breathe the exhilarating spirit of the hills.
The finely attuned national ear for music assists greatly in the acquirement of foreign languages, for which their aptness is remarkable. I have been in families where English, French, and Italian were spoken quite as fluently as the native tongue. In this respect they excel our own country people. Their linguistic culture is practical, while our students generally neither have nor make opportunities for speaking in foreign tongues.
Closely connected with music and languages is the poetical faculty, which seems equally inherent. It comes out on any occasion, with surprising readiness, in little tender sentimental effusions, or graceful compliment—tone and gesture having added emphasis in delivery.
Diminutives are universally employed, and the cita never sounds so sweetly as when murmured by infant lips in mamacita and papacito (dearest or darling mamma and papa). The names we are accustomed to use in a formal manner sound sweet and pathetic in their simpler adaptation, as heard in Mexican homes. Aunt Julia, in our prosaic idiom, becomes Julita—pronounced Hulita, little Julia—tia aunt) being entirely omitted. Everybody is called by the Christian name, regardless of age or position in society.
Nothing is more melodious in Mexican homes than the terms teand tu (thee and thou). The pronoun you, usted (written V.), is not used in the family, nor with intimate friends, te and tu being expressive of confidence. I have been corrected by heads of families for thoughtlessly addressing some of them as you instead of placing myself in their inner circle, sharing its most sacred privileges.
In the endearing expressions, "Tu me quieres á mi?" ("Lovest thou me?"), " Yo, te quiero á ti" ("Yes, I love thee"), the pronouns are repeated for emphasis.
