MEXICO. 



109 



insisted that he should sing for them. He did so — 

 and was hissed most obstreperously by his lawless audi- 

 tory ! It is said that he had borne the pillaging with be- 

 coming temper, but the hissing he never forgot or for- 

 gave. 



Thus situated, we made the best of our position, and 

 determined to enjoy ourselves in our own way : riding 

 out every morning, frequently dining and spending the 

 afternoon at the house of one or other of our European 

 acquaintances, and passing the evening at the paseo, 

 or on the elevated azotea of one of the fine palaces, 

 which, now half warehouse and half dwelling house, 

 are, many of them, in the occupation of foreigners. 

 The scale of the interior arrangement of these princely 

 structures corresponds with the stately exterior. They 

 contain suites of elevated apartments, now despoiled 

 of their rich furniture, and melancholy from their vast 

 extent and want of inhabitants ; but evincing in their 

 fresh gay gilding, carved work, panelling, and painted 

 ceilings, both the past glories of which they have been 

 the scene, and the extreme purity of the atmosphere 

 which circulates within their lofty walls. The views 

 from the more elevated, over the flat roofs and the 

 numerous domes of the city, and the complete pano- 

 rama of mountains, w T ere of a beauty which is indescri- 

 bable. 



There are certain thoroughfares and places of resort, 

 in Mexico, which seem to pour one incessant stream of 

 human beings, from sunrise to sunset. Such are the 

 main streets leading to the causeways; the vicinity of 

 Parian and Plaza Mayor, where the bulk of the busi- 

 ness of the capital is concentrated ; the various mar- 

 kets ; and the quarters where the canals from the lakes 

 terminate. 



Numberless light canoes laden with fruits, flowers, 

 vegetables, maize, and straw, meat, wild ducks, and 

 game of various description, approach the centre of the 

 city by the latter channels ; frequently accompanied by 



K 



