STX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 213 



Instead of their universally appearing in 

 black, as formerly, many were now to be seen 

 in the last fashions of England, in white mus- 

 lins, printed calicoes, and other manufactures 

 of Manchester and Glasgow ; and the public 

 promenade on the evening of a Sunday or 

 holyday presented an appearance of gaiety 

 hitherto unknown. On inquiring the cause 

 of this change, I was informed that it princi- 

 pally arose from the volumes of Ackermann^s 

 work on Fashions which I had brought with 

 me from England, and the arrival of an 

 English lady, whose newly imported wardrobe 

 had made a hasty tour through most of the 

 respectable houses in the city, and from which 

 the belles had taken their new costumes. I 

 believe a few of our dashing milliners, with 

 a tolerable stock in trade, would soon realize 

 a good property, and by introducing British 

 manufactures where they are at present little 

 known, add considerably to their consumption ; 



