166 



SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



CHAPTER XII. 



Theatre. — Alameda. — Passea. — Chinampas, &c, 



Mexico has but one place of dramatic ex- 

 hibition ; which is a respectable building, and 

 of considerable size. Its internal form is that of 

 a lengthened horse-shoe, narrowing consider- 

 ably towards the stage, the proscenium of 

 which is too much contracted to admit of 

 showy exhibitions, or many actors at the same 

 time. The amphitheatre, or audience part, 

 consists of a pit and four tiers of boxes, which 

 are let off by the month or season : — the 

 front of these is scarcely raised a foot from 

 the floor. They are furnished with chairs, 

 &c. according to the taste or opulence of the 



