SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 209 



journey, or as long as they are indisposed, that 

 operation is not performed. 



The dresses of the ladies, and even of 

 children, in the streets, are universally black ; 

 the head of the former is generally uncovered, 

 or with only a slight veil thrown over it. They 

 take great pains with their fine hair, and are 

 particularly neat about the feet, the stocking 

 being usually of fine silk. This is their morn- 

 ing appearance, in which they are seen going 

 to or returning from church, to the duties of 

 which they are very attentive. No well re- 

 gulated family omits hearing mass every 

 morning, mostly before breakfast. 



On holydays, processions, and other public 

 occasions, the dresses of the ladies are very 

 gay, but not of such expensive materials as 

 those worn by our fashionables ; artificial 

 flowers are used in abundance, but ostrich 

 feathers, sparingly. It is generally in their 



VOL. I. p 



