Page:Life in Mexico vol 1.djvu/169

Rh the money, opened it, ripped up the lining, and having possessed themselves of the sum therein concealed, peaceably departed. It was a singular coincidence, that the captain of the robbers, though somewhat disguised, bore a striking general resemblance to the President's aid-de-camp! . . . These coincidences will happen. . ..

My chief occupation, lately, has consisted in returning visits; and it is certain, that according to our views of the case, there is too wide a distinction between the full-dress style of toilette adopted by the ladies, when they pay visits, and the undress in which they receive their visiters at home. To this there are some, nay many exceptions, but en masse this is the case. . ..

On first arriving from the United States, where an ugly woman is a phœnix, one cannot fail to be struck at the first glance with the general absence of beauty in Mexico. It is only by degrees that handsome faces begin to dawn upon us; but, however, it must be remarked, that beauty without color is apt to be less striking and to make less impression on us at first. The brilliant complexion and fine figure of an English woman strike every eye. The beauty of expression and finely chiselled features of a Spaniard steal upon us like a soft moonlight, while a French woman, however plain, has so graceful a manner of saying agreeable things, so charming a tournure, such a piquante way of managing her eyes and even her mouth, that we think her a beauty after half an hour's acquaintance, and even lose our admiration for the quiet and high-bred, but less graceful Anglaise.