202 SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



clothes are 300 per cent, dearer than in 

 England, and are seldom well made. Cloth 

 coats are only beginning to be generally used, 

 but will very soon supersede the printed 

 calico jacket, till lately universally worn. 

 The workmen follow their employment seated 

 on stools, and not with their legs crossed 

 under them as in Europe. 



The first sight of a milliner's shop here 

 must always raise a smile on the face of a 

 newly arrived foreigner. Twenty or thirty 

 brawny fellows, of all complexions, with mus- 

 tachios, are exposed to the street, employed 

 in decorating the dresses, and sewing muslin 

 gowns, in making flowers, and trimming caps 

 and other articles of female attire; whilst 

 perhaps at the next door, a number of poor 

 girls are on their knees on the floor, engaged 

 in the laborious occupation of grinding cho- 

 colate, which is here always performed by 

 hand. 



