Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 1.djvu/262

234 impressive manner, his words were treasured up by his comrades, as of sublime and weighty import.

The next official was a perfect specimen of a Mexican dandy, who must surely have made his way into that assembly on the mere strength of his laced jaceti and highly coloured costume. His hat, which lay on a table beside him, was of the finest material, with not quite so broad a brim as ordinary, but more turned up at the sides, and almost covered with fringes and rolls of red and blue ribands, with the addition of a jewelled buckle on its right side. His jacket, which was larger than usual, was of a brilliant brown-pink colour, thickly studded with silver buttons, and slashed and open to display as much as possible of his elaborately-figured shirt: his under garments were all of the most costly kind, and of the finest finish. His pantaloons, of a rich blue colour, were slashed at the sides, and studded with another collection of shining white buttons; the heels of his riding-boots were adorned with immensely large spurs; and he wore rings in his ears and on his fingers. His face was vacant and mean-looking. This gentleman had not much to say—such people seldom have