9 



CHAPTER XI. 



Style of Dress in New Mexico — Riding-dress of the Caballero— 

 Horse Trappings — The Rebozo — Passion for Jewelry — Ap- 

 parel of the Female Peasantry — ' Wheeled Tarantulas' — Gene- 

 ral Appearance of the People — Tawny Complexion — Singu- 

 lar Mode of Painting the Human Face—Striking Traits of 

 Character — Alms-giving — Beggars and their Tricks — Won- 

 derful Cure of Paralysis— Lack of Arms and Officers— Traits 

 of Boldness among the Yeomanry — Politeness and Suavity of 

 the Mexicans — Remarks of Mr. Poinsett — Peculiarities ob- 

 served in epistolary Intercourse — Salutations — La Slesla. 



The best society in the interior of New 

 Mexico is fast conforming to European fash- 

 ion, ill the article of dress, T\4th the exception 

 of the peculiar riding costume, which is still 

 Worn by many cahalkros. Tliis generally con- 

 sists of a sombrero — a pecuUarly shaped low 

 crowned hat with wide brim, covered with 

 oil cloth and surmounted with a band of tinsel 

 cord nearly an inch in diameter : a cJiaqiieta or 

 jacket of cloth gaudily embroidered with braid 

 and fancy barrel buttons : a curiously shaped 

 article called culzoneras, intended for panta- 

 loons, with tlie outer part of the legs open 

 from hip to ankle — the borders set w^ith tink- 

 ling filigree buttons, and the wKole fantastical- 

 ly trimmed with tinsel lace and cords of the 



