172 SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



them, seem to be, as the Spaniard saith, 

 'mosca in leche,** a flie in milk." 



Another drive and ride, called the Passeo, 

 is about two miles long, planted with double 

 rows of trees, and mostly frequented on 

 Sundays and holydays. Many handsome 

 well-mounted and well-dressed young men, 

 ambling on their pretty little horses, here dis- 

 play their persons and equestrian skill to 

 advantage. A number of elegant carriages 

 and equipages are sported on these occa- 

 sions; but I observed only one chariot and 

 two single-horse chaises in the whole city. 

 The road terminates suddenly near a bridge 

 and gate, through which the canal of Chalco 

 passes. Here most of the carriages draw up 

 close on the side of each other, in such a way 

 as to prevent the company from seeing farther 

 than the window of the carriage next them. 

 These coaches generally contain ladies^ who, 

 by this ridiculous custom, have no oppor- 



