Morning journal and courier., 1880-07-30
Breakfast in Mexico. EFrnm inc Cathnlic World

The fO0Qa vera CTuZldnd, COWdru WHICH we now bent our steps-what an appetite l had having partaken of nothing but an or ange and cup of coffee on board the City o1 Mexico-consists of large, theatrical-look- ing apartment, visible from the street, sur rounded by galleries and surmounted by 6 skyight-in fact, a sort of enclosed patio, or courtyard, with tables set in coignes o4 vantage, and tropical plants hedging each table. The walters were attired in white, and extremely civil.
 One of the prettiest table ornaments have ever seen anywhere is common to Mexico namely dish of radishes, each radish re- posing on 0 small, thin pot of butter shaped like leaf The fanciful manner in which this dish is made up, and its delicate color contrasts, impart to it an indescribable pret- tiness I introduced it at Dropnroe during the radish season with wonderful success.
 ''Now," observed Senor Gonzales, 1T shall order Mexican breakfast pure and simple. This," hel ping me to a brown mess aboutthe consistency of stirabout, lis national dish ; and what pork and beans are to Bostonian, maccaroni to an Italian, bouilli l'abaisse to a Frenchman, caviare to Russian, the frijoles are to Mexican. They are small beans. You'll pass that part of the tierra tempalda where they flourish"
 I must confess that the especial charm of the frijoles was lost upon me- "You should eat them with tortilla, presenting me with a round, thin cake not unlike 8 pancake Follow me; see how I use it." Rolling the tortilla as one would piece of paper, he dip ped the end into his plate moving it round and round in the purple-brown mess; then, lifting it to his mouth. he bit large piece off Through a sense of politeness I endeayored to follow his example; but hungry as I was, the effort proved miserable failure I was more fortunate in omelette, and fillet serv- ed with olives and as for the red mullet with zopote sauce piquante, it was fit for one of those little dinners that Lucullus was in the habit of giving at his charming suburban residence.
 q am so glad you like our mullet." ob- served Senor Gonzales. "We think great deal of it's flavor in fact, we cannot be beat en in this fish. Montezuma used to have 1t served fresh in the capital, 6 distance of two hundred and fifty miles. The moment a fish was caught it was placed in @ basket of ice, and the basket handed to runner, who ran with incredible swiftness exactly one hundred yards The runner handed his precious freight to another runner, who darted like a flash on his hundred yards, and so on until the capital was reached, runner being in readiness at every hundred yards. There is fish you will get in the capital called pesca- do de lago. Now, do not fail to eat it. I have travelled good deal have eaten your celebrated whiting, your black sole, your tur- bot, your fresh sardine, your-' ''Have you ever tasted Dublin Bay herring?" I burst in. q have" ''Wen?" ssIt is absolutely delicious; but, as I was saying, this pescado de lago, or lake fsh-it is caught in Lake Tez- coco and Lake Chalco, quite close to the city possesses flavor of it's own"
 Sounds of altercation mingled with threats of dire vengeance, in voice there was no pos sibility of mistaking, arose in the adjoining apartment, where Billy Brierly was engaged discussing his first Mexican meal
 ''Your fellow seems to be pitching into somebody or everybody" laughed Gonzales :; and at that instant Billy, his face one blaze of indignation and holding something out before him between his fore6nger and thumb, strode into the comedor, or dining-room, where Con- gales and I sat
 Dye know what they're after doin' on me. Masther Joe, bad luck to their impidence ?" he asked. 'fWhat is the matter r'' Mat ther Is this a Christian land at all, at all :? What do they take me for ? Is it for a haste or canniba17 Lux at that, Masther Joe. May 1 never If it's not Q snail-a snail sir-and there's whole dish full av thim beyant in the next room!"
 It took good deal of persuasion, both on %he part of Senor Gonzales and myself, to prove to Billy that snails are regarded as delicaey in Mexico. 'Be the mortal it's rats and cats, and worse, they'll be given us afore we're done, Masther Joe. Iwon't ate bit or sup-barrin' bread am buther, and mebbe an egg-while I'm in the counthry. I wouldn't take the barony of Killoughlin an taste bit av their malt, afthur this turn. D