AN AUTO DE FE. 121 
even among the fairest-looking sefioritas. 
his, with other purposes no less culpable, 
has no doubt tended to establish the custom 
of night-shopping. 
It may already be generally known — 
haps, that the predominant party, in Mexico, 
(and particularly in the North), is decidedly 
anti-masonic, During my stayin Chihuahua 
I had an opportunity to test their antipathy for 
that mysterious brotherhood. This was evinc- 
ed in the seizure of a dozen or two cotton 
handkerchiefs, which, unknown to myself, 
happened to bear the stamp of the ‘masonic 
carpet.’ These obnoxious articles having at- 
tracted the attention of some lynx-eyed friar, 
one day, much to my consternation, my store 
was suddenly invaded by the alealde and 
some ecclesiastics. The handkerchiefs were 
seized without ceremony, and by an auto de fe, 
condemned to be publicly burned. 
VOL. Il. 11 
