SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO, 151 



and the effect was much heightened by the 

 appearance of the magistrates and gentlemen 

 of the city in full dress, and officers of the 

 army, cavalry and infantry, with their mi- 

 litary bands, and some of their finest troops, 

 in handsome uniforms. On these occasions 

 the city pours forth its whole population, and 

 then only has the stranger an opportunity (in 

 the crowded balconies and windows) of seeing 

 the ladies to advantage. A fete in the neigh- 

 bourhood of the capital constitutes one of 

 the principal sources of amusement to the 

 populace, where dancing, gambling, and 

 cock-fighting seem to be the leading pas- 

 times. 



The Palace of the Viceroy is a noble 

 building, and of greater extent than any 

 thing of a similar class in England. It stands 

 on the south side of the great square, and 

 contains many of the public offices, the 

 Prison, the Mint, the Botanic Garden, the 



