Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 1.djvu/126

100 fine voices are very common. The Señora's contralto voice appeared to much advantage in the simple Spanish ballads; and though the Mexican songs were for the most part childish and unmeaning in point of sense, their short and often-repeated cadences were sweet and pretty.

Guitar music, and songs accompanying it, next engaged the attention of the company; among which airs from the Puritani were to be distinguished. Then the pianos and guitars united to strike up a quadrille; and the varied groups arranged themselves for dancing, which was kept up with great spirit. After a short interval, they joined in a German cotillon; and subsequently a waltz. Various dances peculiar to the country, jarabes, afforrados, and enanos, were afterwards performed by the more youthful members of the party: these dances were rather monotonous, but with short steps and quick music, in a rustic fashion.

Weary of dancing, the middle-aged and elderly ladies and cavaliers at length formed themselves into parties for cards and conversation; while the younger indulged themselves with the "Juegos de prendas," or games of forfeits, of the country. Anxious to profit