Page:Life in Mexico vol 2.djvu/235

Rh Excellency have lived in these our degenerate days, and beheld certain monks of a certain order drinking pulque and otherwise disporting themselves! nay, seen one, as we but just now did from the window, strolling along the street by lamplight, with an Yndita (Indian girl) tucked under his arm!. ..

One more anecdote of the "immortal Revillagigedo," and I have done. It was very late at night, when not far from the gate of the city called "the lost child," (in commemoration of that period when "the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem," and that his parents sought for him sorrowing,) his Excellency encountered a good-looking damsel, walking briskly and alone, at these untimely hours; yet withal quiet and modest in her demeanor. Wishing to try the temper of her steel (or brass) he left his officers a little way behind; and perhaps they were not astonished. . . "Oh! by no means, certainly not! "—When they saw the grave and severe Revillagigedo approach the fair maiden somewhat familiarly, and request permission to accompany her in her rambles, a proposal which was indignantly rejected. "Anda!" (Come!) said his Excellency; "give over these airs—you, are a mugercilla, strolling about in search of adventures." Imagine the feelings of his Excellency, on receiving in reply a tremendous and well-applied box on the ear! The staff rushed forward, and were astonished to find the Viceroy with a smiling countenance, watching the retreating steps of the adventurous damsel. "What! Your Excellency—such insolence! such audacity! such." "Come, come," said the Viceroy,