Page:Face to Face With the Mexicans.djvu/277

Rh pursued the frightened birds, making captures. Order being restored, we turned our eyes again to the stage to behold the mysterious column slowly opening, revealing to our astonished vision exquisite articles of vertu, bric-à-brac, curios, and magnificent ornaments of every description, all glittering against a crimson background. These were distributed as regalos to the guests.

The entertainment closed with a grand finale. Upon the stage were assembled in one heterogeneous but effective tableau, gentlemen of the court, nuns. La bonita china Poblana, pages, flowers, silver, grotto, and, in the background, our genial host. This was the prelude to a recherché collation in the comedor grande.

Dancing was kept up until sunrise, but those of us who reluctantly withdrew were gently reminded by our host that we were expected to carry home our chickens.

On that glorious Mexican, moonlit night, with all our bundles, regalos, and chickens squawking at every step, we must have looked like the remnant of a Mardi Gras procession, as our figures were thrown full length on the broad street in exaggerated silhouette.

Posadas on so grand a scale are given in comparatively few houses. But the litanies, wax figures and procession are generally a part of the programme, varying according to means or taste.

Every night for more than a month, and for a month longer, at regular intervals, in this hospitable mansion, entertainments of various kinds were given—grand balls, dinners, and brilliant theatricals. My invitations were as numerous as the entertainments, where, whenever possible, I found myself, ever at home, an honored guest.

In rural districts, where posadas are not given, one of the chief Christmas recreations is the pastorela. This signifies an idyl, and is used symbolically to represent the announcements of the birth of Christ to the shepherds. A little girl dressed in white, with wings attached to her shoulders, represents the angel, while the shepherds are furnished with crooks, with which they beat time to their chanting. The infant Jesus, represented by a doll, is rocked in a cradle or