SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 85 



house usually forms a square court in its 

 centre, with open galleries passing round; 

 the balustrades of which are covered with 

 China pots of growing flowers and plants, 

 producing a most refreshing coolness. Their 

 walls are either plastered or painted in dis- 

 temper, but I saw none papered ; the furniture 

 is not elegant, at least to the taste of an 

 Englishman ; but each drawing or sitting 

 room has a wax model of the Infant Saviour, 

 or some Saint, or the picture of the Virgin of 

 Guadaloupe, a Magdalen, or the Crucifixion, 

 the frames of which are often of silver. The 

 floors are tiled much like those of France, and 

 uncovered, carpets not being in use, nor in- 

 deed necessary in such a climate. Most of 

 the residences in the city have a fountain of 

 fine water, which is conveyed in earthen pipes 

 — a great luxury in the warm season. The 

 family of the proprietor usually resides in the 

 upper story, the ground-floor being occupied 



