Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/551

Rh interest on purchase money. It led also to much corruption and to a low standard of ability.

It was worth while to pay large sums for a position which entailed privileges, at least honorary and social, such as are eagerly sought for even in countries less subject to class distinction and caste strife than Mexico. The well known punctiliousness of the Spaniard was not a whit relaxed in these far-off regions, and it is amusing to observe the trivialities on which the staid government would waste its attention and decrees. The question of precedence was minutely fixed, even for inferior officials, in processions, at audiences, in church, and elsewhere. In certain cases the clergy should precede all; on other occasions a governor had the precedence. This dignitary could use a cushion, but not so an alcalde mayor," and certain officials could enter a tribunal with sword or stick, while others must doff and bow. Many distinctive forms of dress, still reserved on the peninsula for certain classes, had here been usurped by inferior persons, and the judicial cape and collar could be seen on every notary and physician, ay, even on the barber. The lawyers felt particularly indignant at being confounded with their social inferiors, and after a hard struggle obtained permission to wear gauze on their cuffs, and were reconciled. Form of address was also jealously guarded, and the manner of kissing the pax had to be prescribed lest the arrogant worshipper should place himself on too close equality with royal devotees.

New Spain, which for so long a time formed one of the two great territorial departments of the India