Los Angeles herald. [volume] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1890-1893, 1891-10-03

turns with bunch of wild flowers plucked
from the roadside
II it ever becomes fad among Mexican
ladies to ride horseback, it will be because
Mrs. Ryan has set the example. As rule
Mexican ladies never indulge in pleasures
that cannot be practiced within the Sc
clusion of their own houses. Recently a
very few have ventured to do little horse
back riding in private. Later they may
venture on the public streets and riding
become quite the fashion, but there are
many prejudices to be overcome before
this comes to pass.
After had inspected the reception room
a visit was made TO the dining room 1t is
not very large room, but at times it does
good service. No less than 300 partook Of
the dinner given by Minister Ryan to
General Miles at the time OF his visit to
the City of Mexico The table was reset
several times, but all partook Of the meal
In all there are nineteen rooms in the
house occupied by Minister Ryan, and for
which he pays a rental of 1915 month
For the same accommodations in any large
city in the United States this would be a
very high rent: but in Mexico it is consid-
cred bargain" us rents are very high
here and houses suitable for private resi-
ing is proportionately high, especially 50
in articles such as Americans prefer Tea
sells at g a pound, and coffee at 80 cents a
pound, while soda crackers are 80 cents a
pound, and granulated sugar so cents a
pound. Good American -four is hard to
get even at SIS barrel, and ham costs 80
cents a pound and deviled ham so cents a
| pound Oatmeal sells at 81M cents a
! pound, fine table salt at IS cents quart,
| and apples are scarce at $40 barrel. These
| are but a few of the many articles that are
necessary to an American table, but they
serve to show the cost of living here.
In returning from the dining hall to
| Minister Ryans Office in the Red room l
| caught a glimpse of a spare bedroom
| through half opened door, What seemed
| most interesting to me in that room was
the first genuine American bed | had seen
in six weeks. IL had look that suggested
a good mattress and springs. 1t would
never have done for Minister Ryan to have
asked me to remain with him unless he
really meant it, for after seeing that bed |
should have accepted the invitation at
once, and any one who has had SIX
weeks struggle with Mexican beds would
excuse me for doing so. Boards act as
substitute for springs in most Mexican
beds, and Mexico is particularly famous
for woods of the hardest varieties, and the
best selections are always to be found in
the beds.
Unless one is well cushioned with fat,
the chances are that it will be some weeks
before a whole night can be passed in a
Mexican bed without getting up at regular
intervals to rest ones self. There are no
beds of this sort in Minister Ryan's house,
for such as he has are strictly American,
| and great curiosities TO many Mexicans.
/ 1t is said that some of the Mexican ladies
consider it mark of special favor to be
allowed to inspect the guest chamber.
They hold up their hands and calculate
their most expressive obs" upon seeing
the width of the bed and the big pillows.
| How one can ever sleep with his head on
such pillows without breaking his neck is
more than they can understand. But the
| pillows in the guest chamber at Minister
| Ryan's house are not stuffed with palm
| bark, as are some Mexican pillows.