their faith ; the sex has no right to set aside such a charming accessory.
The large and well-paved avenues cross the city at right angles, overflowing with shops of every description, well stocked, and for the most part conducted by French and Germans. Native traders offer their wares under the portales and in the open market-places, which are to be found in every quarter. Nothing in the city is of greater interest to the stranger than these crowded and seemingly disordered piles of merchandise, attended by groups of swarthy merchants, men and women, who regard with the indifference of entire disinterestedness your attempts at barter, and show their contempt for ordinary business principles by charging a tlaco or two more at wholesale than at retail. You may take up every article in their stock, and pass the treasures about from hand to hand, without the least sign of apprehension or importunity on their part. The bright foreign air gives to even the smallest lane an interest and novelty. Every occupation has its distinctive mark in dress, which is like a class badge; and this, with the varying costumes of Indian, Spaniard, Mexican, Frenchman, and
