A BOMBARDMENT. 



255 



rockets, after which all gathered in the plaza for the ex- 

 hibition of fireworks. 



It was some time before these were ready, for those 

 who had figured in the procession, particularly the dev- 

 ils, were to be the principal managers. Our party was 

 well known in Mixco ; and though the steps of the 

 church were crowded, one of the best places was im- 

 mediately vacated for us. From their nearness to Gua- 

 timala, the people of Mixco knew all the principal fam- 

 ilies of the former place, and were glad to see so dis- 

 tinguished a party at their festa ; and the familiar but 

 respectful way in which they were everywhere treat- 

 ed, manifested a simplicity of manners, and a kindliness 

 of feeling between the rich and the poor, which to me 

 was one of the most interesting parts of the whole fete. 



The exhibition began with the Toros ; the man who 

 played the bull gave universal satisfaction ; scattering 

 and putting to flight the crowd in the plaza, he rushed 

 up the steps of the church, and, amid laughing and 

 screaming, went out. Flying pigeons and other pieces 

 followed ; and the whole concluded with the grand 

 national piece of the Castle of San Felippe, which was 

 a representation of the repulse of an English fleet. 

 A tall structure represented the castle, and a little brig 

 perched on the end of a stick, like a weathercock, the 

 fleet. The brig fired a broadside, and then, by a sud- 

 den jerk, turned on a pivot and fired another ; and long 

 after, until she had riddled herself to pieces, the castle 

 continued pouring on all sides a magnanimous stream 

 of fire. 



When all was over we returned to the posada. A 

 cloth was spread over the long table, and in a few 

 minutes, under the direction of the ladies, covered 

 with the pic-nic materials brought from Guatimala. 



