It may be remarked that cock-fights are likewise common in the Territory of New Mexico, although bull-fights are unknown. The most popular season for cock- and bull-fighting is during Lent.
XLV.
Costumes.
The upper classes, especially the Government officials, in Mexico, have recently discarded the national costume, and now wear the European dress. Black coats and silk hats are as commonly seen on the Plaza mayor of the City of Mexico as on Broadway or Fifth Avenue.
There is a great variety of costumes, however, among the country gentlemen, and among both sexes in the lower classes. The Mexican hat, or sombrero, is the most prominent part of the national dress. It is either of felt or straw, and has a very wide brim. When made of the former material, the color varies from light gray to brown and black. The crown is trimmed with a silver band, and the brim is oftentimes heavily embroidered with silver thread. The cords around the crown are either single, double, or quadruple, and small silver ornaments called chapetas are attached to both sides of it. Straw hats are generally provided with puffed bands of the same material, and occasionally silver cords are worn on them. The peasantry wear plain straw hats and white cotton shirts and trousers. Cloaks of water-flags or palm-leaf strips are used by the Indians. They are impervious to the rain.
A zarape,[1] or blanket woven either of woolen goods or of both wool and cotton, is worn in the early morning and in the evening. An infinite variety of patterns may be seen in these zarapes. Stripes of various shades of red, yellow,
- ↑ Sometimes spelled serape.
