Page:Life in Mexico vol 1.djvu/337

Rh in the roaring of the "lord of lowing herds"—the galloping of the fine horses, the skill of the riders, the gay dresses, the music and the agile matador; in short, in the whole pomp and circumstance of the combat, than when one looks quietly on to see two birds peck each other's eyes out, and cut each other to pieces. Unlike cock-pits in other countries, attended by blacklegs and pickpockets and gentlemanly roues, by far the largest portion of the assembly in the pit was composed of the first young men in Mexico, and for that matter, of the first old ones also. There was neither confusion, nor noise, nor even loud talking, far less swearing, amongst the lowest of those assembled in the ring; and it is this quiet and orderly behavior which throws over all these incongruities a cloak of decency and decorum, that hides their impropriety so completely, that even foreigners who have lived here a few years, and who were at first struck with astonishment by these things, are now quite reconciled to them.

As far as the company went, it might have been the House of Representatives in Washington; the ladies in the gallery listening to the debates, and the members in the body of the house surrounding Messrs. and, or any other two vehement orators; applauding their biting remarks and cutting sarcasms, and encouraging them to crow over each other. The President might have been the speaker, and the corps diplomatique represented itself.

We had an agreeable dinner at the Es, and afterwards accompanied them to the Calvario, a hill where there was a ball al fresco, which was rather