170 SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



altered appearance of this once splendid place 

 of amusement, which he had before seen 

 crowded to excess by brilliant audiences. In 

 the presence of the Viceroy smoking was 

 prohibited, but between the acts a curtain 

 was let down before his box, that the people 

 might not be altogether debarred this luxury. 



The alameda, or public promenade, situated 

 on the north side of the city, is not worthy, 

 in my opinion, of the other establishments. 

 It is laid out in paved walks, with fountains 

 and statues in very bad taste and worse exe- 

 cution. Neither are the company, who fre- 

 quent it for the purpose of walking, of the 

 best description, and those who use the drive 

 in their close coaches are scarcely to be seen. 

 In these kinds of enjoyments the Mexicans 

 certainly do not excel. 



The following is the account given of the 

 alameda by Friar Gage. It is a description 

 of the place two hundred years ago, and, 



