Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 1.djvu/262

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
234
PICTURES OF LIFE IN MEXICO.

impressive manner, his words were treasured up by his comrades, as of sublime and weighty import.

The next official was a perfect specimen of a Mexican dandy, who must surely have made his way into that assembly on the mere strength of his laced jaceti and highly coloured costume. His hat, which lay on a table beside him, was of the finest material, with not quite so broad a brim as ordinary, but more turned up at the sides, and almost covered with fringes and rolls of red and blue ribands, with the addition of a jewelled buckle on its right side. His jacket, which was larger than usual, was of a brilliant brown-pink colour, thickly studded with silver buttons, and slashed and open to display as much as possible of his elaborately-figured shirt: his under garments were all of the most costly kind, and of the finest finish. His pantaloons, of a rich blue colour, were slashed at the sides, and studded with another collection of shining white buttons; the heels of his riding-boots were adorned with immensely large spurs; and he wore rings in his ears and on his fingers. His face was vacant and mean-looking. This gentleman had not much to say—such people seldom have