Page:Life in Mexico vol 1.djvu/148

128 very distinguished for talents and information. She has the Grand Cross of Maria Louisa of Spain, is of a noble Venetian family, and Aunt to the Duke of Canizzaro. Her dress was a very rich black Genoa velvet, black blonde mantilla, and a very splendid parure of diamonds. She seems in exceedingly delicate health. She and her contemporaries are fast fading away, the last records of the days of Viceroyalty. In their place a new race have started up, whose manners and appearance have little of the vieille cour about them; chiefly, it is said, wives of military men, sprung from the hot-beds of the Revolutions, ignorant and full of pretension as parvenus who have risen by chance and not by merit, must be. I continue my list after the fashion of the Court Journal.

Countess de So. Under dress of rich violet satin, gown of black blonde, mantilla of black blonde, diamond ear-rings, five or six large diamond brooches fastening the mantilla, necklace of large pearls and diamond sévigné. The Señora S. Dress of white satin, gown of white blonde, white blonde mantilla, pearls, diamonds, and white satin shoes. Madame Sr, black velvet dress, white blonde mantilla, pearls, diamonds, short sleeves and white satin shoes. The Señora de Ad. Fawn-colored satin dress, black blonde mantilla, diamonds, and black satin shoes.

The Señora Ba, the wife of a General, extremely rich, and who has the handsomest house in Mexico. Dress of purple velvet, embroidered all over with flowers of white silk, short sleeves, and