Page:Life in Mexico vol 1.djvu/191



 The Viga during the Carnival — Variety of equipages — The millionaires — The monks — Masked ball — An alarming sight — Medical students — Dinner at the Prussian Minister's — Rides on horseback — Indian love of flowers — Santa Anita — The Chinampas — Their origin — Indians in canoes — Song of "El Palomo" — Fighting — The Great Lakes — The Drain of Huehuetoca — The great market of Tlatelolco.

16th March.

are now in Lent, in the midst of prayer, churchgoing and fasting. The carnival was not very gay, with the exception of a few pubhc masked balls, and very brilliant paséos. The Viga is one of the most beautiful promenades imaginable, though it might easily be rendered still more so; but even as it is, with its fine shady trees and canal, along which the lazy canoes are constantly gliding, it would be difficult, on a fine evening, just before sunset, especially on the evening of a fête-day, to find anywhere a prettier or more characteristic scene. Which rank of society shows the most taste in their mode of enjoyment, must be left to the scientific to determine; the Indians, with their flower-garlands and guitars, lying in their canoes, and dancing and singing after their own fashion, as they glide along the water, inhaling the balmy breezes; or the ladies, who, shut up in their close carriages, promenade along in full dress