160 SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



throw them away, to show that the land and 

 whatever it produced was at my disposal*. 

 We now returned, followed by the whole 

 company and a crowd of Indians, to a house 

 in the neighbourhood, where an entertain- 

 ment was provided, consisting of wines, 

 Spanish brandy, a variety of cakes, sweet- 

 meats, and dulces, which, after a few appro- 

 priate toasts and a blessing from the padre, 

 were quickly despatched, and the ceremony 

 concluded with the greatest good humour. 



The situations of mines, in general, are 

 in sterile and barren districts, but those of 

 Themascaltepec are an exception. It would 

 be difficult for the traveller to point out a 

 more lovely or romantic situation than the 

 little town in which this mine is situated. 

 The plentifully supplied market exhibits a 



* This is precisely similar to the ceremony of infeft- 

 ment, agreeably to the old feudal system still practised in 

 Scotland. 



