Page:Mexico of the Mexicans.djvu/67

 Rh it presented an appearance of costly lace, and gave a beautiful, filmy effect.

An amusing regulation was passed in Mexico some years ago to the effect that the Indians were to be compelled to wear trousers, as, desiring greater freedom of limb, they frequently appeared without them.

The holiday dress of the women of Tehuantepec is as distinct from other Mexican costumes as its wearers are renowned for their beauty of figure and carriage. Their headgear plays an important part, as it has a legend attached to it. It consists of a frilled piece of material called the uipil, and the story goes that it is symbolical of a baby's skirt. This baby was rescued by some of the people of Tehuantepec from drowning, and the head-dress is worn for luck, as the little foundling was supposed to have brought an abundance of good fortune to those who succoured it. It is arranged in different ways; one fashion being to drape it round the head and shoulders, while the other style is to wear it right round the head and chin, almost like an Elizabethan ruff, or a Normandy peasant's festal bonnet. The remainder of the costume is composed of a short tunic-bodice and a voluminous skirt, sometimes of check material, while the neck and arms are left bare. For better occasions, they sometimes wear a lace tunic or species of shawl; while the costume, which is reminiscent of Aztec days, forms a pleasing whole.