Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-04-14

of the "boys and frogs" it may be sport to the
one party, but is often death to the other, Every
Mexican, whatever his condition NAV be, is ex-
pert with the lasso; and the throwing of it
may be regarded as a national amusement
One of our men became intoxicated at the Ha-
cienda of Lorendo, near Parras, and was in the
act of raising his carbine, to shoot Don Man
uel, it's amiable and accomplished proprietor,
who quick as thought threw the moose over him
and pinioned him BY the arms, when our Stall
warth Arkansas cavalier became as meek and
quiet as lamb.
The weather. classes dress very much in the
same style. but of richer fabrics; their buttons
being usually of silver; and they are particular
ly ostentatious in their saddles and housings,
which are often overloaded with heavy silver or
naments. They are also very curious in the
color and pattern of their blankets, and the
materials of their cloaks.
The women are rather under what we regard
as the medium size, slight in figure, well form
ed, and graceful and while few are beautiful,
many of them, while young are good looking
and agreeable. Their hands and feet are small
with well turned ANGLES. They have generally
white teeth, good mouths, magnificent black
eyes, and glossy black hair-in the dressing
of which they daily bestow much pains. They
appear to be amiable and kind hearted, and are
said to make good wives and mothers. They
are cleany in their habits, for most of the towns
and haciendas being situated on running streams
they have every advantage for bathing, of which
they avail themselves most literally, without
encumberng themselves with much superfluous
clothing. Their usual dress consists of thin
slippers, without stockings, cloth petticoat,
usually red, and chemise, which exposes more
of the person than is, in most countries, consid-
cred to be consistent with due regard to mod
esty; but this is the custom of the country, land
am not disposed to criticise it. With ros-
airy around the neck, and gold earring, and you
have the female costume complete.
When they 60 abroad, the rebosu is generally
worn, either over the head concealing the great
err portion of the face, or over the shoulders
| like shawl. 1t is worn by all Mexican women
its quality depending on the condition of the
wearer. To their ordinary domestic duties they
add the weaving Of rebods and blankets. The
| latter are worn by men, as an outer covering,
and is literally "a bed by night, carmen, all
the day." Many of them are of fine texture,
| and of great beauty of figure and color. Their
prices vary from 60 to S75, and even to 800.
| Many ofthe better class of females as well ed
ucated and accomplished ladies' who would grace
| the saloons ofthe most polished capitals.
| Mexican cookery is, to my taste, detestable:
but manv Americans less fastidious, perhaps,
affect to like it. Every thing is rendered as hot
as fire by red pepper, which enters in enormous
quantities, each dish as an essential ingredient.
The favorte, in Mexico, is the .frJoi fri
hohy,) which is universally brought on the ia
| BILE as bon bouche. 1t consists of small brown
| black -eyed beans, boiled 6 or S hours in soft
water, and then mixed with melted lard and
SALT 1t is when thus cooked very agreeable
vegetable. Another article of food, and almost
as great favorite, is the tortilio. II is prep
AIRED by boiling maize in pretty strong lev (of
ashes) which seperatfs the husEs. 1t is after
wards washed in clean cold water till all the
| impurities are removed, and it is then mashed
| (for know not how better to express it) on a
short stone table, placed in an inclined position,
with stone roliing-pin, till it is ground into a
soft plastic paste. A woman then, wettng her
hands tit is to be honed that they have been
previously well washe,,) takes up small por-
ton of the dough, and by dexterusly shifting il
from one hand to the other, pattng it at the
same time, (and producing loud nOise,) soon
brings it to the required consistency, shape and
size. 1t is then baked on griddle, and taken
hot to the table, where it serves the triple pur-
pose of bread, forks and spoons. With butter
it would no doubt make Ialtab!e bread: but in
Mexico no butter can be found, except in the
houses of foreigners. 1t is even extremely diff
cult to procure co,U S milk, Notwithstanding their
numerous herds, and goats milk is generally
used, but that cannot be always obtained, and is
not fit for use till 1t has been boiled. We sue
ceeded occasionally in obtaining curds at some
of the haciendas. In no portion of the world
have | seen better wheatbread, cakes, or con-
dictionary. The Mexicans are peculiarly skill
full in the preparation of fruits and confecti, n
arv.
/ The weather. classes live in STYLE of great
luxury and have seldom partaken of more ele-
| giant and sumptuous entertainments than at
their hospitable boards. The service of China
and silver are beautiful and rich, the courses
follow each other in rapid succession, and the
table groars with the profuson of meats. fruits
confectionery and wine, piled upon it. A gen.
tleman,whose curiosity induced him to count the
courses at dinner assured me that they ex-
ceeded twenty in number.
During my short stay at Saltillo, had an
opportunity of witnessing their burial rites. A
young lady of great beauty, whose loss was
deeply deplored, had recently died, and an i'm
| mense concourse of people attended the funeral
soemnities. The deceased was dressed in
white, with white satin slippers on her feet;-
her head decked with garlands, her raven locks
gracefully disposed over her shoulders :her hands
crossed IN front, and holding a large bo1uet Of
flowers. Thus adorned, ''like bride waiting
her bridegroom" she was placed on white
couch-also trimmed with flowers, and surmoun
ted with a canopy of satin roses and Fathers.
On this bier, the mortal rmains of the poor young
girl-5eautiful, even in death-was paraded
feet foremost, through the principal streets OF
the city, and around the main plaza, exposed tc
the wondering stare of curious strangers. The
procession was headed by three priests, dressed
in the rich vestments Of their order chanting
prayers for the deceased-the chanting being
accompanied by three violins. Others carried
banners and crosses; incense was burnt; fou
men, in clerical costume, bore the bier on thei
shoulders: and then followed the mourners
friends, aad relatives of the deceased; the whole
being proceeded by band of music, while the
bells of the Cathedral tolled mournfully. The
ceremonies within the church, were not differ
ent from those of the Roman Catholic religion
IN other countries