Page:Face to Face With the Mexicans.djvu/319

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FROM MEXICO TO MORELIA.
313

any assemblage that I saw in the country. The dark, Indian type prevailed, with large, well-shaped heads, eyes of unusual brilliancy, broad, square shoulders, erect figure, and graceful bearing.

In one of her admirable descriptive letters Mme. de C. thus mentions the hospitality of the citizens of Morelia: "The tropical banana and many creeping vines with gorgeous blossoms, among them the Bougamvilla, hanging in great clusters of pink, crimson, and purple, such as we do not see elsewhere, beautify the patios of the hospitable Morelianos, who, when the stranger stops to admire the luxuriant growth and wonderful coloring of the flowers, cordially invite him to enter and examine at leisure." Of the hospitality of the Morelianos to us, she says: " I wish there were time and space to tell of their kindly reception of two foreigners; of the simple yet elegant manner in which the family of the intelligent young editor of the Gazeta Oficial (Official State Paper), Señor Ojeda, entertained them at an afternoon tea, and of the gracious goodness of which the honored visitors were the grateful recipients from other kind acquaintances, to whom letters of introduction were presented."

My personal tribute is, that in all my travels in Mexico no place has left upon my mind more pleasing or lasting impressions. Though so conservative, the hospitality of its people is pure and genuine.

FIRST PATIO IN COLLEGE OF SAN NICOLAS.

Our own distinguished countrywoman, Mrs. Mary Halleck Foote, like Madame Calderon, made the journey from Morelia to the capital on horseback. Her admirable illustrations of the scenes in and about that quaint old city, together with her