she finally became dismembered, I was presented with the legs to take off as souvenirs of the occasion.
On our return to the theatre we heard in the distance a peculiar music. As it approached, the unusual sounds were accounted for by the appearance of a band of forlornly dressed Aztecs with their ancient musical instruments, followed by a train of attendants of the same race. In the rear came a hand-wagon laden with boxes of bonbons, fruits and sweets. When this singular band entered the brilliantly illuminated theater, the contrast excited boundless merriment. Our host appeared at the door and was greeted with shouts, when he entered and made a humorous little speech. The Indians continued their ear-splitting strains in stolid impassivity, apparently quite unconscious of the grandeur of their surroundings. To look on their emotionless and expressionless faces would extract a smile from an Egyptian mummy.
At this juncture General Palacio whispered in my ear that very soon he intended to give an entertainment mas serio (of a more dignified nature), in order that I might witness in his own house every form of social life known to the capital. The Velada Literaria mentioned in the chapter on Mexican Literature, will give some idea of the elegance of this convivial reunion.
The scenes were interspersed with dancing, and now the witching strains of the danza again rose from the orchestra, and away went the gay señoritas and caballeros, responsive to its intoxicating measures.
This ended, again the curtain rose and our eyes were greeted by the representation of statuary by several of the gentlemen guests. Their superb physique, clad in stockinet, posed in the most graceful manner, imitated to perfection the sculptured forms of the {{w:Dying_Gaul|Dying Gladiator]], Brutus and the Conspirators, and many other classic and historical groups.
A señorita then entered, dressed in one of the prettiest costumes of the country, called La china Poblana[1] Nothing could have
- ↑ Described in chapter on "The Common People."
