American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1824-11-12
TIE ARTS IN MEXICO.
From Bullock's Residence.


The appearance of the shops in Mexico affords
no indication oil the wealth OF the city Nothing is
exposed in the windows; all are open, in the same
manner as in London in the sixteenth century. Few
have signs or even names in front; and most trades
are carried on in the shops IN which the articles
sold. SiIversmilhs' work is done here in the same
tedious manner it used to be in England. All The
ornaments finished by hand. There are some
good chasefs, bOt II general the production IS clum
sy, and very heavy, | inquired about precious
stones and pearls; bnt there were few good, aud
those much dearer than in Europe. Ruhics appea.-
ed 10 me the only jewel worth importing from Mex
leo. The manufacture OF gold ard silver lace,
trimmings epauettes, &c is carried in the great
est perfection; and the articles are sold at a much
lower rate than with US. 1t is Usual with nayak
officers, on their arrival Al Vera Cruz, 10 lay in
stock Of such requisites. The taors here make
great profit clothes 800 per Cent dearer than
in England, and are seldom well made. Cloth coats
only beginning to be generally used, but will We
ny soon supersede The printed calico jacket, I'll late
ly universally worn. The workmen follow their
employment seated on Stools and not with their feet
under them as in Europe.
The first sight OF milliner's shop must always
raise smile the face Of newly arrived foreigner.
Twenty thirty brawny fellows, OF all compilations,
with mustachios are exposed to The street, employed
in decorating dresses, sewing muslin gowns, making
flowers, and trimming cops, and other articles OF fe-
male attire whilst, perhaps, at the next door, a
number Of poor girls their knees on The floor,
engaged in the iaborous occupation ofgrindng cho'
colate, which is here always performed by hand.-
The druggists and apuhecares' trade must also
be an excellent one their prices are exorbtant, L
paid dollar per pound for The article used in pre-
pairing my birds, which in Europe, is sold for four
pence; and yet the ingredients are the produce OF
the country. Hops sell here for two shIlngs and
..tl,a r~nnfiN
Cabinet work ssery inferior and expensive at Mex
leo they have few Of the tools employ ed in Europe.
and mahogany, or good substitute, is scarcely
Of the chairs in The best houses are
made in the United States. II will be learned with
surprise, that in this country the saw Except small
hand irame) is still unknown: every plank used in
the erection Of all the Spanish American Cities is
hewD by Indians, with light axes, from the solid
trees, which make each but board. Coach ma
king excels all the other mechanical arts pactised at
Mexico their vehicles well put together, OF
handsome lotms, and well finished; the best paint
els in the country employed in their decorations,
and the gliding and varnish equal what is done IN
Europe, whence the handles and ornamental parts
in metal are procured
{. OF caryers in wood there are many, as every
house has statue OF saint or madonna painted,
generally superbly drest. The art of engraving on
stone is unknown in Mexico but the Indians great
ly excel in modelling and working in wax The
specimens of different tribes with their costumes,
with the habments Of the gentry, which brought
over, viii amply testify their merits in this depart
ment. They also model fruit and vegetables in a
beautiful manner. A lady at Puebla de los Ange-
los, executes, in singular style, from pieces OF old
linen clolh groups of comic figures, some of which
have also brought to England. Such was her
skill, that, from only having seen me for short
time, my first passing Though the city, was
Gil nrt Ger n ND m NV ELI,
cuted portrait Of me in this style which was im-
mediatey recognized by my friends"
7slescope.-The great refracting Telescope
made hp pl efessnr Frauenhufer for The Obseryalo-