Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 1.djvu/27

Rh ; the azotea or flat roof—also characteristic of good houses here—affords an open and agreeable resort after sunset. The colour of the buildings and their materials appear strange to an unaccustomed eye: inferior houses are often built with adobé bricks, made of merely sun-dried clay; and the exterior walls in some neighbourhoods are daubed besides with glaring colours—red and blue and yellow.

The state of society throughout the country is most unequal and insecure; and rebellions and warlike proclamations have been rife, in consequence.

Ignorant and overbearing native priests, of the Roman Catholic religion, exercise despotic sway. In no country is their withering influence more distinctly manifested; and under their direction, superstition assumes its most oppressive and baneful forms.

The recognised middle class of the community is so unimportant, that there is scarcely any degree between splendid luxury and squalid wretchedness; neither is there any provision whatever for the forlorn and destitute. Poor, half-clad Indians form the most numerous class of the population: living in