SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 107 



machinery in the preparation of the mate- 

 rials, the importation from Europe will be 

 discontinued. They copy the forms well, 

 and in the texture and colour of their glass 

 they already rival us. 



Soap is a considerable article of traffic in 

 Puebla, being sent from thence to most cities 

 of New Spain. It is made in the shape of 

 birds, fishes, beasts, fruits ; — indeed they give 

 it a thousand fantastic forms. 



The Mexican confectioners excel in their 

 sweetmeats and cakes, which are articles very 

 much in request at Spanish tables. I was told 

 that, at the coronation of the late Emperor 

 Iturbide, upwards of five hundred kinds of 

 dulces or sweets were served up in the desert. 



That many of the inhabitants of Puebla 

 are wealthy is attested by their equipages 

 and retinues : handsome carriages, drawn by 

 mules richly caparisoned, and attended by 



