TROOPSOFTHELIXE. 285 
spurs with two-inch rowels ; broad-brimmed hat, and whip of sounding 
thong, bestrides one of the beasts ; and the whole apparatus moves off 
with a slow lumbering pace, that resembles in motion and appearance 
nothing that I can now recollect, but one of those old-fashioned wooden 
houses, that, in times long past, we used to see removed from street to 
street, until they disappeared in the suburbs. 
Even the riding horses of the Mexicans are not yet freed from the an- 
cient lumber and trappings with which their ancestors covered them. At 
page 163, you will find a picture of a jMexican horseman, and observe 
that the animal's haunches are covered with a sort of hemisphere of leather 
terminated by an iron fringe, that jingles with every movement. This 
cumbrous hide was originally designed, at the period of the conquest, as 
an armor for the protection of the horse from Indian arrows, while the 
guard was continued in front of the beast by a similar apron that shielded 
his neck and throat. But now, although there are no more assailants of 
the peaceful riders, you may still frequently observe this uncouth cover- 
ing on the finest animals ; and the apology for the usage is, that bv contin- 
ually striking on a certain part of his hind legs with the lower fringe of 
iron, the horse is forced into a short, ambling trot, which is held to be the 
suvimum lonum of ]\Iexican comfort in the saddle. I confess, that I saw 
no beauty in the mincing gate which is thus acquired, especially as the 
animal most celebrated for it in i\Iexico scarcely advanced a dozen yards 
in a minute, while, from the amount of exercise he appeared to be taking, 
and the incessant pawing of his feet and chafing of his bit, an observer 
would be induced to believe he was advancing at a furious pace. It 
is one of those capricious luxuries to which men resort, when they have 
exhausted the round of natural and simple tastes. 
I have forgotten to say anything to you hitherto of the parades of troops, 
for which this Capital is in some degree famous. As I profess to have 
no military knowledge, you must not expect a very critical account of 
their appearance or manoeuvres ; but I have seldom seen better lookino- 
regiments in Europe than the 11th Infantry, under the command of Lom- 
bardini. The uniform is white, like the Austrian, and is kept in excel- 
lent order. The arms are clean and bright, and the ofiicers of division 
appear to be well trained, and to have imparted their training to the men. 
On the 13th of June 1842, about eight thousand of these troops were brought 
together, to be reviewed by General Santa Anna, on the meadows south 
of the city. In line they had an extremely martial bearing, and. so far 
as I was able to judge of their skill, the sham-fight that took place after- 
ward was admirably executed. Excellent and daring riders, as are all 
the Mexicans, they must ever have a decided advantage in their cavalry; 
and, although they do not present so splendid an appearance in equip, 
ments as some of the other regiments, I have no doubt they constitute 
the most effective arm of the Mexican service. Indeed, almost all the 
foreigners and even Texans, with whom I have spoken in regard to 
