TOWN OF JALA PA. 



135 



both men and women exposing a large portion of the 

 bare body to the atmosphere; at night, however, it was 

 observed that both sexes protected their necks and shoul- 

 ders with wraps; the men winding their woolen scrapes 

 over their necks and the lower parts of their faces, and 

 the women covering theirs with their reboses. The change 

 of temperature soon after sunset and in the early mornings, 

 as compared with the rest of the day, is very decided 

 throughout Mexico. Foreigners who follow the native 

 customs avoid taking cold, while those who do not, -suffer 

 for their heedlessness. 



A peculiarity was observed at Jalapa. While most of 

 the women in Mexico are dark-hued, yet a large number 

 of those one meets in Jalapa are decidedly blondes, hav- 

 ing light hair with blue eyes, and possessing as blooming 

 complexions as any of our country girls in the States. 



Like all Spanish cities, the windows of the dwellings 

 are secured by a screen of iron bars, and many fronts, 

 H^^^^X^^^c where the house is of two stories 

 in height, have also little bal- 

 conies. These balconies are 

 much in use by lovers. A Mexi- 

 can never goes about a courtship 

 in an open, straightforward man- 

 ner, but on the contrary he 

 forms cunning schemes for 

 meeting his fair inamorata, and 

 employs ingenious subterfuges 

 to gain a stolen interview. He 

 tells his passion not in words, but 

 with profound sighs and signifi- 

 cant glances as he passes her 

 balcony, while she, although perfectly understanding his 

 pantomine, assumes the most profound innocence. Finally, 



MEXICAN COUKTSHIP. 



