Page:Face to Face With the Mexicans.djvu/568

562 The other liquors besides pulque which this plant produces are tequila and mescal. The former, named after the district in which it is principally manufactured, possesses an agreeable flavor, somewhat resembling Scotch whisky. Mescal is made from a liquor obtained by pressing the leaves of the maguey in a mill. Both mescal and tequila are transparent, while pulque has very much the appearance of the milk of the cocoa-nut.



Tanneries are to be found at many places, but the leather must be of very inferior quality if one may judge by the rapidity with which shoes break and wear out. There is no greater inconvenience to Americans than the style and quality of shoes. Generally it is not possible for them to wear those made on Mexican lasts. I have seen in the windows of shoe stores, "American shoes made here," but the samples shown were far inferior to our home productions, and did not even resemble them. But for the artistic repairing of old boots and shoes the Mexican cobbler can certainly claim precedence. Shoes so old and dilapidated that even mothers could not use them instead of a switch on refractory children, or that would not be available for throwing after departing bridal parties, he will repair and return as good as new, for fifty cents. He sits on his stool on the sidewalk, himself unshod, verifying the ancient proverb, perhaps waiting for the mañana on which to begin his avocation.