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216 "she has proved herself worthy of our favor. Let instant inquiry be made as to her birth and parentage, and as to her reasons for being on the streets at this hour. They must be honest ones." The result proved the Viceroy correct in his opinion. She was a poor girl, supporting a dying mother by giving music-lessons, and obliged to trudge on foot from house to house at all hours; and amongst her scholars was the daughter of an old lady who lived out of the gates of the city, and from whose house, being that of her last visited pupil, she had frequently to return late at night. On being informed of these particulars, his Excellency ordered her a pension of three hundred dollars per annum, to be continued to the day of her death, and it is said she is still alive, though very old. This is making one's fortune by a coup de main, or by a lucky hit!

6th August.—This morning we had some very good music; Madame Castellan and the Tenor, and Madame Cesari having passed some hours here, together with Madame la Baronne de and a few other gentlemen and ladies. La Castellan was very amiable, and sang beautifully, but looked pale and fatigued. She has been very effective lately in the Somnambula. Madame Cesari was in great beauty. . ..

About an hour after they had gone, the new Minister and his family made their entrée into Mexico. It is now, however, too late for us to return till the autumn, as there is a great deal of fever at Vera Cruz; nor do we entirely give up hopes, as soon as Cn shall be at leisure, of making another