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104 and his manner attractable. The cares of office had neither furrowed his brow nor distorted his countenance, and he appeared pleased with himself and his surroundings. Still, notwithstanding his apparently affable and careless disposition, there was something indescribable about him that impressed his hearers and commanded respect.

We did not remain long in his company, but passed into one of the large adjoining rooms, where a banquet was evidently in preparation. This, I understood, was the custom in Atazatlan, and was held by way of a preliminary to the ball. Here I met a large number of persons holding high offices and other responsible positions in the State. There was a large and very long table in the centre of the room, with a number of smaller ones on either side. When all was ready, the President took his seat at the head of the principal, the governors of the different States occupying similar positions at the smaller ones. The tables were attended to by members of both sexes, and a very large number of ladies were present at the banquet.

The President made a short speech, beginning as follows:—

"This year an event has taken place that will form a remarkable chapter in the history of