592 " Mexico ;" and " Mexican Illustrations." 



to belong to a better condition those,, particularly, of an aptness 

 for modelling and drawing in a very extraordinary degree. The same 

 faculties, by the way, are found to exist, and almost in as decided an 

 extent, among the very lowest of the serf population of Russia. " Among 

 these unhappy people," Mr. Ward says, " the Indians, are found men 

 endowed with natural powers, which, if properly directed, would soon 

 render their situation very different." . 



fc The wax figures, with which Bullock's exhibition has rendered most 

 people in London acquainted, are all made by the Leperos, with the rudest 

 possible implements. Some of them are beautifully finished, particularly the 

 images of the Virgin, many of which have a sweet expression of countenance, 

 that must have been borrowed, originally, from some picture of Murillo's; for 

 it is difficult to believe that the men by whom they are made could ever have 

 imagined such a face. It is Humboldt, I believe, who remarks, that it is to 

 imitation that the powers of the copper-coloured race are confined: in this 

 they certainly stand unrivalled, for while the Academy of San Carlos continued 

 open (a most liberal institution, in which instruction was given in drawing, 

 and models, with every thing else required for the use of the students, pro- 

 vided at the public expense), some of the most promising pupils were found 

 amongst the least civilized of the Indian population. They seemed (to use the 

 words of the Professor, who was at the head of the establishment) to draw 

 by instinct, and to copy whatever was put before them with the utmost 

 facility ; but they had no perseverance, soon grew tired of such little restraint 

 as the regulations of the Academy imposed, and disappeared, after a few les- 

 sons, to return no more." 



On the state of society in Mexico, generally, Mr. Ward's notes (as we 

 have before hinted) are not very copious. He has some very interesting 

 travelling notices in his " Personal Narrative," but he commonly avoids 

 characterizing the people. Mr. Beaufoy disposes of the subject with 

 great vigour and brevity, setting out with the declaration, that " There 

 is not any thing that bears the slightest resemblance to good society 

 in the whole republic." 



" A book in the hands of a Mexican gentleman, to pass away the weary 

 time, or improve his mind, is a novelty I cannot task my memory with ever 

 having witnessed. They talk very little, often paying visits of several hours 

 without uttering ten words ; a cigar is their inseparable companion and com- 

 forter, at all times and on all occasions ; indeed I learnt at length to hail its 

 presence myself, as the least offensive of a multiplicity of unpleasant odours. 



(( Lawyers smoke while reading a legal document priests during the pauses 

 of the service ; visitors, who intrude at your dinner-hour, which is very cus- 

 tomary out of the capital, quietly draw a chair to the table, and while you eat 

 they puff; and this is seasoned with the most violent and repeated eructations 

 and spittings neither one nor the other being considered ungenteel, but quite 

 the reverse: your carpets and floors, your furniture and curtains, are indis- 

 criminately covered with saliva, and its disgusting appendages. 



" The amusements of these intellectual gentlemen consist in cock-fighting, 

 billiards, cards, and gambling of every description ; which are passionately 

 followed by all classes of people, to a degree scarcely credible. Gaming at 

 once levels all ranks, all distinctions ; a most perfect equality prevails, in 

 knavery as well as excitement ; and I have frequently seen a general, or a 

 governor, bet his dollars against a man whose only covering was a blanket, 

 full of vermin." 



This is the case with the gentlemen ; and, in despite of Mr. Beaufoy's 

 professional gallantry, the ladies are not much more civilly dealt with :- 



