Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/792

772 down the avenue, drawn by two or four horses or mules, and attended by servants in conspicuous livery, generally negro slaves, some walking, some seated. Within sat the ladies in rich evening dress, without veil or head-covering, and glittering with jewels, exchanging glances or greetings with those passing them. Litters could be seen on the sides; and high above the throng, between the two lines of carriages, were prancing steeds whose riders were seated in saddles stamped, gilded, or even embossed in massive gold or silver, and forming one piece with the leather or fur covering that extended over the hind-quarters of the horse. The covering was embellished like the saddle, and fringed with dangling pieces of precious or common metal which jingled at every step. The bridle was also heavily ornamented, and the rider still more adorned, in broad-brimmed hat edged with gold or silver lace, his fur-trimmed and embroidered jacket, breeches with silver buttons, stamped leather leggings, immense silver spurs, and inlaid whip, the whole representing quite a fortune, and forming a picturesque feature, heightened by a display of the fine horsemanship for which the people are well known, especially in the northern provinces. A humbler imitation of this guise is still common in the country. Women ride chiefly on the right side of the animal, sometimes astride, or seated before the cavalier.

Church festivals were exceedingly gorgeous at the capital and attracted people from afar, stands being frequently erected for spectators on such occasions, while windows were rented at prices measured both by the length of the procession and the sacredness of the relics wherewith the clergy impressed the eye and stirred the emotion. The privilege to participate and to carry some banner was much sought, and involved no little expense for costume and other accessories. The sacred portion of the programme