SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 193 



the Indians dispose of wool, cotton, coarse 

 cbtton cloth, manufactured skins, earthen- 

 ware, baskets, &c. in the market, and it is an 

 amusing scene to witness them collected in 

 large parties with their children seated on the 

 ground, enjoying their frugal meals of tor- 

 tilios and chile. But, unfortunately, in the 

 lanes near the market are found numbers of 

 pulque shops, where the men are seen en- 

 joying their favourite beverage, and indulging 

 in their propensity to gaming; and I am 

 sorry to say that, in more than one instance, 

 I have noticed these generally good-natured 

 creatures, when heated by pulque or aqua 

 ardente, and soured by the ill fortune of the 

 day, venting their disappointment, like mere 

 Christians, on the persons of their innocent 

 and unoffending wives-! 



VOL. I. 



o 



