Page:Life in Mexico vol 1.djvu/339

Rh Cruz is about to sail, I shall send off my letters now; and should we still be here next year, I shall then give you a more detailed description of the fête, of the ball, both at Calvario and in the cock-pit, and also of the "high life below stairs" gambling, at which the scenes are impayable. In one respect, the fashions at San Agustin are altered from what they were a few years ago, when the Señoras used to perform five elaborate and distinct toilettes daily; the first in the morning, the second for the cock-fight, the third for dinner, the fourth for the ball on the hill of Calvary, and the fifth for the ball in the evening. I am told, that as they danced in the open air, on the hill, with all their diamonds and pearls on, in the midst of an immense concourse of people, a great many jewels were constantly lost, which the léperos used afterwards to search for, and pick up from the grass; a rich harvest. Though they still dress a great deal, they are contented with changing their toilette twice, or at the most, three times in the course of the day.

Upon the whole, these three days are excessively amusing, and as all ranks and conditions are mingled, one sees much more variety than at a ball in the city.

On their way home, Cn and Señor discussed the effects likely to be produced on the morals of the people by this fête. Señor, like nearly all the wisest men here, persists in considering gambling an innocent amusement, and declares, that at all events, this fête ought never to be done away with. In his opinion, it conduces to the happiness of the people, gives them an annual pleasure to look forward to, and by the mingling of all ranks which then takes place,