Page:Life in Mexico vol 1.djvu/293



 English Ball — Dresses — Diamonds — Mineria — Arrival of the Pope's Bull — Consecration of the Archbishop — Foreign Ministers — Splendor of the Cathedral — Description of the ceremony.

23th.

English ball at the Mineria has passed off with great eclat. Nothing could be more splendid than the general effect of this noble building, brilliantly illuminated and filled with a well-dressed crowd. The President and corps diplomatique were in full uniform, and the display of diamonds was extraordinary. We ladies of the corps diplomatique tried to flatter ourselves that we made up in elegance what we wanted in magnificence! for in jewels no foreign ladies could attempt to compete with those of the country. The daughter of Countess, just arrived from Paris, and whose acquaintance I made for the first time, wore pale blue, with garlands of pale pink roses, and a parure of most superb brilliants. The Señora de A's head reminded me of that of the Marchioness of Londonderry, in her opera-box. The Marquesa de Vivanco had a riviere of brilliants of extraordinary size and beauty, and perfectly well set. Madame Sr wore a very rich blonde dress, garnie with plumes of ostrich feathers,