SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



211 



tied with an ornamental garter : these are a 

 very expensive article, the leather being cut 

 in relievo in a variety of elegant patterns by 

 the Indians, in the interior provinces, in a 

 manner that it would be difficult to copy in 

 Europe. They are sold from eight to forty 

 or fifty dollars the pair, and even at that price 

 yield a poor remuneration to the makers. Yet 

 they are an article of great consequence in 

 the fitting-out of the Mexican beau, who often 

 appears in this kind of boot, richly embroi- 

 dered in gold and silver, which costs upwards 

 of one hundred dollars. The stirrups and 

 spurs correspond, in magnificence and work- 

 manship, with the boots. The hat is of 

 various colours, large, and the crown very flat 

 and low, bound with broad gold or silver lace, 

 and with a large round band, and fringe of 

 the same. They are elegant, and well calcu- 

 lated to guard the sun from the head and 

 shoulders. The decorations of the horse are 



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