(see chapter on costumes). Silver ornaments are sold at a low price, and they make handsome presents for tourists to purchase. The smallest and cheapest figures are ex votos in the shape of arms and legs.
XXXIX.
Theatres.
Theatres may be found in all cities and towns of the country. The Mexican has inherited from the Spaniard his love for the drama. Many of the plays put upon the stage are translated from the French, the number of native dramatists being very small. Many traveling operatic and theatrical companies visit Mexico in the winter season. The opéra-bouffe is given every year.
Sunday night is the most popular time to go to the theatre. The prices of admission are lower than in the United States. A seat in the parquet, or patio, generally costs one peso. Smoking is allowed there.
Ladies wishing to visit the theatres should procure tickets in a box or loja. They are plain edifices, with little interior decoration, and are commonly built with an elliptical auditorium, which has several tiers of boxes ranged one directly above the other, reminding the traveler of La Scala at Milan.
XL.
Music.
The Mexican people are very fond of music. There are excellent military bands in all the cities and garrisoned towns, where a pagoda is generally erected in the main plaza. They usually play three evenings in the week.
