deranged—a third, who announced himself as the greatest artiste who had yet condescended to visit Mexico, demanded a salary which he considered suitable to his abilities. I tried a female Mexican, in spite of her flowing hair. She seemed a decent woman and tolerable cook—and although our French housekeeper and prime minister had deserted us at our utmost need, we ventured to leave the house, and to spend the day at Tacubaya. On our return, found the whole establishment unable to stand! Cook tipsy—soldiers ditto—galopine slightly intoxicated—in short, the house taking care of itself—no standing force but the coachman and footman, who have been with us some time, and appear to be excellent servants. I am however promised a good Mexican housekeeper, and trust that some order will be established under her government; also a Chinese cook, with a celestial character. . . .
Letters from Spain, announcing the speedy arrival of a Secretary of Legation and another attaché.
1st January, 1841—A happy New Year to all! I We began it by attending early mass in San Francisco, about the cleanest church in Mexico, and most frequented by the better classes. There you may have the good fortune to place yourself between two well-dressed women, but you are equally likely to find your neighbor a beggar with a blanket; besides the floor is nearly as dirty as that of the Cathedral. This dirtiness is certainly one of the greatest drawbacks to human felicity in this beautiful country, degrading the noble edifices dedicated to the worship of God, destroying the beautiful works destined for the ben-
