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328 which there is a sale of the books that have been read, and propositions for new books are given in to the President. It is an excellent plan, and I believe is in part adopted by other foreigners here. But Germans of a certain class do not seem to be sufficiently numerous for such an undertaking, and the French in Mexico, barring some distinguished exceptions, are apt to be amongst the very worst specimens of that people which "le plaisant pays de France" can furnish forth.

We went lately to a ball given by a young Englishman, which was very pretty, and where nearly all the English were collected. Of families, there are not more than half a dozen resident here, the members of whom form a striking contrast in complexion to the Mexicanas. With very few exceptions, (and these in the case of English women married to foreigners) they keep themselves entirely aloof from the Mexicans, live quietly in their own houses, into which they have transplanted as much English comfort as possible, rarely travel, and naturally find Mexico the dullest of cities. . . Cn has gone to dine with the English minister, and I am left alone in this large room, with nothing but a humming bird to keep me company; the last of my half dozen. It looks like a large blue fly, and is perfectly tame, but will not live many days. . . ..

I was startled by a solemn voice, saying, "Ave Maria Purissima!" And looking up, there stood in the door-way, a "friar of orders grey," bringing some message to Cn from the head of the convent of San Fernando; with which monks Cn has