The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-12-29
Pictures OF Life in Mexico.


the Countrywide character peculiar to
many parts of the capital, a correspond
ent says, brings always crowds of boor-
ish people into Mexico's thOroughfnres.
Indians of pure blood, looking like dis
figured gypsies, are constantly seen
rowing about. Husband, wife and child
are trotting the same slow pace, STOPPING
to the very ground and frequently car
rying heavy loads, or the straw mat
tresses on which they have passed the
previous night, on their way to the city.
Passing the front of some ancient church
or a decaying convent, we see the grades
crowded with ugly looking Indian wo-
men nursing their dirty little urchins.
In the shade of some building we see q
happy family sharing the frugal meal,
consisting of 'tortillas" IA cake baked OF
Indian corn and some fruits; now and
then they may even be seen indulging in
the luxury Of "trijolas' freed beans,)
the national dish of the Mexican; not
very far from the happy Eat home" we
notice crowd of shabby looking young
men lying on the ground smoking and
gambling at cards; the monotony of the
play is now and then interrupted by wild
curses OF blow at him who has been
found guilty of cheating his drowsy COM
paniOns.
Indians and Mestizzos, the broad
brimmed sombrero on their dust-covered
heads, are leaning against the walls of
some "fonda" (inn); they are shepherds
or muleteers, who have brought cattle
and goods from the interior, and who are
now gazing at all the splendors of the
capital and beholding the wonders of
them. They are daring looking fellows,
clad in dirty linen clothing and parti-
colored shawl, which they draw closely
around their neck and head when the
wind begins to blow, so that there is lit
tie to be seen of their defiant faces.
Pickpockets and thieves, wearing mix
ture of national and foreign garb, are
seen spying out an opportunity favorable
to their profession.
Men and women of oil ages and COM
plexions, boys and girls besiege the cof-
fee houses annoying the pedestrian with
their shrill voices, pressing him to buy
a lottery ticket and gain the five or six
thousand "piros" that are drawn on the
coming morn; vendors of matches and
other trifles, follow you step by step
till you get rid of them by spending
copper piece or two, but only to be an
moved by others who have watched your
weakness and are anxious to have their
turn also. More pleasant than these
match and ticket sellers are those who
offer for sale small objects of art, as
waxen fruits of great beauty, artificial
flowers and wooden charcoal figures
of perfect workmanship; tiny little fig
ures representing scenes OF everyday
life, beautiful birds on cardboard and
kinds of feather work are to be
obtained at very low prices.
A charming picture are the flower
girls, who are busy composing their
abundant stock of the very finest flowers
into tasteful nosegays, in which we find
great variety of roses and the ladies'
favorite, the dark blue violet-fowers
that nature offer us all the year round.
Tasteful garlands, flower baskets that
would make the New York florists rave,
charm the buyers eyes; nosegays of all
and the delicate flower for
the dandy's button-hole are to be pur-
chased at very low prices. For flowers
the Mexican has a well-pleasing weak
ness. and the love of flowers is one of
qualities that the Spaniard has inherited
from his Moorish conquerors and has
Win uiui W 4ACAASos OiN
irons and young ladies cycling the passer
by from the balcony. all have their hair
and dress adorned with fresh flowers.
The fruit vender makes a fine display
of his stock on the ground or in his
primitive shops. Apples, pears, straw.
berries, peaches, appricots, Turkish and
Indian figs, the growth of the temperate
climate, are to be seen lying together
with the golden orange, the yellow
lemon, bananas, anenas, mangoes, and
the delicious chirimova, productions of
the tQrrid zone. Those who are fond of
a cooling draught may apply to one Of
the numerous water stands, where in
offensive mixtures of water and ananas,
lemon and juices are served to the caller
for two cents glass. While slipping our
nectar We noticed two or three old In
dian women, half naked, who press with
a round stone the juice out of the fruit.
Chocolate and cocoa are served as well
at the stand. Travelling cooks with their
two-wheeled kitchens are to be found in
every street, and they serve dishes to
those who give them a call; yet a for
eigner would scarcely be pleased with
the acid Spanish pipkin or the baked
sweet potatoes, and other dishes, as they
are generally spiced with good deal Of
dirt.