A MEMORIAL OF HOME. 



197 



strange circumstance, that while the manners and 

 customs of the Indians have undergone an immense 

 change, while their cities have been destroyed, their 

 religion dishonoured, their princes swept away, and 

 their whole government modified by foreign laws, 

 no experiment has yet been made upon their cur- 

 rency. 



In the midst of this strange scene, there was a 

 stir at one end of the plaza, and an object presented 

 itself that at once turned my thoughts and feelings 

 homeward. It was a post-coach, from a Troy fac- 

 tory, exactly like those seen on every road in our 

 country, but it had on the panel of the door "La 

 Diligencia Campechana." It was one of the line 

 of diligences between Campeachy and Merida, and 

 just arrived from the former place. It came up on 

 a run, drawn by wild, uncombed horses, not yet 

 broken to the bit, and with their breasts galled and 

 raw from the pressure of the collar. It had nine 

 inside, and had an aspect so familiar that, as the 

 door opened, I expected to see acquaintances get 

 out; but all spoke a foreign tongue, and instead of 

 being welcomed to supper or bed by an officious 

 landlord and waiter, all inquired anxiously where 

 they could get something to eat and a place to 

 sleep in; 



Leaving them to do as well as they could, we 

 went to the baile or ball. In front of the quartel 

 was a rustic arbour, enclosed by a temporary rail- 

 ing, with benches and chairs arranged around the 



