doc241 - Schoenherr Home Page in Sunny Chula Vista

The different classes of society were quite distinct in the early time, the division
running on lines of birth. Natives of Spain or direct descendants of such natives, constituted
the upper class and prided themselves upon the purity of their blood. Aside from
this, they had other and better claims to consideration, for they were usually well educated
and always possessed of considerable culture. In a society accustomed to caste,
they naturally assumed a position of leadership. Some of them were gentlemen in reduced
circumstances who had taken to soldiering in the hope of retrieving their fortunes.
Others were men of good families who had secured official appointments. All of them
were proud and dignified in bearing, even when they happened to be very poor.
The lower classes consisted, first, of Mexicans with more or less Aztec and Indian
blood, and, last of all, the native Indian. Most of the Mexicans were soldiers, some
of whom brought their wives, while others married Indian women after coming here.
They were a class corresponding to the Spanish peasantry and furnished the labor of
the country.
The social customs which flourished in the midst of these conditions were so
deeply marked with the spirit of common kindness that one can hardly escape the
thought that something has been lost, as well as gained, in our present-day struggle to
get ahead, as individuals and communities. Take, for instance,
Page 143
the matter of hospitality to strangers. To offer to pay for entertainment was an affront.
The traveler was supplied with a fresh horse at every stage of his journey, and had no
care or expense in the matter of returning them to their owners. On a table beside his
bed he found a quantity of silver, to which he was expected to help himself, according to
his needs, and no questions were asked. If a man needed a bullock, he might send a
vaquero to lasso one from the herd of his wealthy neighbor, and pay for it when
convenient--and if it did not become convenient, it was no matter. If a horse were borrowed
and not returned, it was of no consequence--there were plenty more. The average
of wealth among the cattle owners was large and their bounty was as free as air.
Incivility was absolutely unknown. Even the poorest peasant saluted you politely
and was prepared to carry a message or do any little courtesy without charge and with
an air of cheerfulness and good humor. The kindness of the people was genuine and
unaffected. It was the custom to call all persons by their Christian names, with an easy
familiarity. Older men received the prefix of Don or Señor Don, and ladies of Doña or
Señorita Doña, if unmarried, and Señora Doña, if married. It was also quite usual to
playfully nickname one's intimate friends in a humorous manner to which the Spanish
language lends itself most happily. For instance, Wm. A. Gale was known as Quatro
Ojos (four eyes), on account of his wearing glasses. He was also called Tormenta
(gale), and (Cambalache (barter); both for obvious reasons.
One of the most remarkable characteristics of the Californians was the very great
respect shown to parents by their children. This deference was not abandoned with the
passing years, but even a grown man coming into the presence of his father or mother
always removed his hat and remained standing until invited to sit. No man, whatever his
age, ever smoked in the presence of his father or mother. If a young man met an elder
in the street, he would throw away his cigar and lift his hat, whether to his parents or a
stranger. Servants showed the same deference to their employers. One scarcely knows
what to say about the current stories of old men chastising their grown sons and the lat-