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424 boys and girls. The accompanying illustration represents a girl of two months. I asked the mother if it were girl or boy. "Mujer" ("woman"), she answered, "Felicita Rodriguez criada de V." Never was there a more delighted mother than when I asked her to hold the baby until its picture could be made.

The cuna (cradle) is a concomitant of every humble dwelling. It is sometimes suspended from the ceiling, but quite as often it hangs under the table. The material of which it is composed is usually palm or maguey, and its quaint little occupant looks quite comfortable, snugly sleeping in the rebozo, while the cradle sways back and forth of its own accord.

These poor women are often the mothers of such beauties as would arouse envy in the breasts of many aristocratic parents. Miguel Mondregon, whose picture is here given, was one of these children. His mother was a cook. We met him in the street in Tacubaya on the opening of the feast of Candlemas, and when I asked his name, he gave it, taking off his hat, as seen in portrait, which is an excellent likeness of him, and saying: "El criado de V." His style of dress is typical of his class. No urchin was ever happier than he when paid his real y medio (18 cents) to stand, hat in hand, while being sketched.

His cheeks and lips were like cherries; his mouth a perfect Cupid's bow; his complexion brown as a frijole; and his eyes great, soft, melting, glorious orbs.



Miguel Mondregon

An old woman, standing near, hearing our comments upon his beauty, remarked: