On my way back I thought I should die with gladness, when, from the eminences which surround this capital, I first discerned the towers of its temples. I proceeded to my house: the embraces of my family, and the tears of an unfeigned tenderness, 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 affections was calmed, I perceived that all these little creatures treated me with thou[1]. 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 practice of allowing themselves to be addressed in the singular number by the infants who surrounded 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 familiar 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.
