SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



201 



signs or even names in front ; and most of the 

 articles are manufactured in the shops in 

 which they are exposed for sale. 



Silversmiths'' work is done here in the same 

 tedious manner it used to be in England 

 All the ornaments are finished by hand; 

 there are some good chasers, but in general 

 the production is clumsy and very heavy. 



I inquired about precious stones and pearls, 

 but there were few good, and those much 

 dearer than in Europe. Rubies appeared to 

 me the only jewels worth importing from 

 Mexico. 



The manufactory of gold and silver lace, 

 trimmings, epaulets, &c. is carried on in the 

 greatest perfection, and these articles are sold 

 at a much lower rate than with us. It is usual 

 with our naval officers, on their arrival at 

 Vera Cruz, to lay in a stock of such re- 

 quisites. 



The tailors here make great profit, as 



