Page:Life in Mexico vol 2.djvu/217

Rh brilliant eyes, and fine dark hair. La Castellan sang very well, with much clearness, precision and facility. She is certainly graceful and pretty, but, except in her method, more French than Italian. Her style suits Lucia; but I doubt her having l'air noble sufficient for a Norma or a Semiramis. The Bass improves upon acquaintance, but the handsome Tenor is nought. The audience seemed to me both indulgent and discriminating. They applauded the pretty prima donna con furor; they praised the Bass when he deserved it, the Tenor when it was possible; but where he sang false, nothing could extort from them a solitary viva. This discrimination makes their applause worth having, and proceeds less from experience or cultivation, than from a musical instinct.

In a visit we made this morning, we were shown a piece of embroidery, which from its splendor and good taste, is worthy of observation, though by no means uncommon here. We went to call on the wife of a judge, who showed us all through their beautiful house, which looks out on the Alameda. In one of the rooms, their daughter was engaged on a piece of embroidery for the altar of the chapel. The ground was the very richest and thickest white satin; the design was a garland of vine-leaves, with bunches of grapes. The vine-leaves were beautifully embroidered in fine gold, and the grapes were composed of amethysts. I can conceive nothing richer and more tasteful than the general effect. The gold embroidery done in Mexico is generally very beautiful, and there are many ladies who embroider in it in great perfection. There is an amazing quantity of