Southern Argus., 1842-09-06

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use that all their work is done while
wearing them. 1t is really surprising
the facility with which the Mexican
women perform their household duties
encumbered by this garment. An
American lady would as easily manage
her affairs with her hands tied behind
her back as with the raJoSa about her,
yet it is never in the way of the Mexi.
can. The maAtiLLG resembles it in
many respects, but it is made of finer
material, rather wider, and worn among
the lashionables in the larger cities.-
An extremely beautiful ornament it is,
too, when worn with that peculiar
grace which none other than the lady
of Spanish origin can initiate.
The most striking beauties Of the
Mexican women are their small feet,
finely turned ankles, well-developed
bnsts, small and classicalIy formed
hands, dark and Iustrous eyes, with
hair of that rich and jeuy blqckness
peculiar to our own beautiful creole
girls. Generally their compilations
are far from good, being a mixture OF
Spanish and Indian blood, and the
same can be said Of their features, al
though frequently a face may be met
with which might serve as a perfect
model Of beauty. They are Joyous
sociable, kind-hearted creatures almost
universally, liberal TO fault, easy and
naturally graceful in their manners,
and really appear to have more under
standing than the men. Had we fall
len into the hands of the women instead
Of the men, our treatment would have
been far different while in New Mex
leo.
During our confinement in San
Miguel we were visited by every girl
in the town, and from the ranchos in
the vicinity. Each time they brought
US some little delicacy to eat, and ifev-
er men came near being killed with
kindness we were tue victims. One
party would arrive with a dish of chill
ty guisado, (stewed mutton strongly
seasoned with red pepper, and really
excellent when we'll made.) Scarcely
would this party leave us before an
other would come in, bringing atoIe
and mieI, others milk, eggs, tortillas or
bread. OF all these different dishes
we were obliged to partake, or else
wound the feelings Of our kind-hear-
ted friends and the consequence was
that we were frequently compelled to
swallow a dozen meals a day for the
first week or two ofour Imprisonment.
That we did fair justice TO the hospi-
tality of the women am frank to con-
less, for our previous long starvation
had given US most excellent and not
easily appeased appetites but if sen
oHgh is as good as a FEAST" an and
old adage says that il is, | can argue
from experience that too much, when
compelled to eat all that is set before
you, is rorSe even than a brief famine
at least when personal comfort is taken
into considerations No slight can be
greater than to refuse any eatable prof
lcred by a Mexican girl, and so numer-
ously attended were our LereeS at San
Miguel that we were frequently en-
pIoyed half the day in paying due hon
or 10 our presentations.
Passa ge ofhe Tcran prisoners through
san MigucL-Not allO,Oed to see
hem-Lt. LuLbock'S Statement Of
The .Surrender-Lelois' Agency and
Jrcachery IN bringing ii about.
On the IL September Col. Cookies
party surrendered, on the morning Of
the goth they passed through the edge
Of San Miguel but we were not allow
ed to see them. We were informed
by the women and our guard that they
had been stripped Of nearly everything
and were badly treated every way, and
the former expressed no little commits
Grafton at their unfortunate lot.
To show Lewis in his true colors,
and give my readers full particulars Of
the extent Of his treachery, will here
make a few extracts from an account
Of the surrender of Col. Cookies party
written by 1t. Tbos, S. Lubbock, who
was one Of the officers and who is also
we'll known 10 many in this city. 1t
may be recolIected that 1t. l.. made u
daring and successful escape from the
Convent of Santiago in January last,
and has since reached Texas.
1t seems that the day after the small
party which / accompanied left the
sheep-fold on the Gallenas, the main
body took up the line ofmarch and trav--
elled as far as Anton ChicO.-They
encamped on the edge ofa ravine near
the town--a strong position in case Of
an attack. Three or four of the Tex
ans, who crossed the river and entered
the small town TO purchase provisions,
were Immediately arrested by Captain
SaIezar. The latter Immediately de-
spatched one of them back 10 Col.
Cooke and DR.. Brennan with request
that they would come over to the viii
lape and hold a consultation with him.