Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 1.djvu/124

98 There were gentlemen à discrétion, for the most part dressed in embroidered jacetis and serapés, and slashed pantaloons; and often in sparkling-uniforms,—military men being very popular here. My attention was particularly attracted by a rather intelligent-looking bishop from a distant province; who, attended by two deferential priests, was visiting the capital upon some mission connected with his church: I had the honour of conversing with his reverence for a short time in the course of the evening.

A young lady with light blue eyes, and fair, rosy complexion, was much noticed by the company. She was of Spanish extraction, but had resided nearly all her life in the United States: her light colour and fair hair rendered her almost a curiosity among the dark beauties around, so rarely are such persons to be seen in this country. A visitor from Europe is unlikely to appreciate the style of beauty of the Mexicans, until in a degree familiarized by time: their attractions generally consist in splendid, liquid black eyes, luxuriant dark hair, fine hands and arms, and pretty feet,—though these are often injured by being thrust into shoes far too small for them. They have neither the fresh, stately beauty of the