Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 1.djvu/208

180 society in any other nation to produce the like:—some crowding indiscriminately together in corners, or cowering in groups to cheat and gamble; others yelling and dancing, quarreling and fighting or dabbling in an unclean fountain in the centre; and a few repairing tattered serapés with broken needles, making baskets of decayed rushes, or hunting the abundant vermin. Here, vociferating indecent songs, or doling out lugubrious Ave Marias,—there, purloining each other's food and clothes; craving the charity of casual visitors, or claiming the inestimable benedictions of stray priests.

Authorized by an order from Don Meute Kiorno de Jiauhetes, or some other administrador or officer, you march up to the gate through the numerous guard of soldados on duty; exhibit your permit; and follow an attendant to the second entrance. A gloomy flight of steps leads to this portal on the second storey—the massive strength of which is adapted to its grim purpose. On opening the door, a confused clamour becomes painfully audible—the clanking of fetters and chains, the groans of the prisoners, the weeping of visitors, and the execrations vented upon