This excess, in a climate demanding comparatively little sustenance, could hardly be said to extend to drinking, although a good deal of liquor was consumed, and although the frequent laws against intoxication might lead to this belief. The Indians were certainly addicted to the fermented liquors prepared from the maguey and the sugar-cane, but drunkards were not numerous.[1] In its pure state the favorite pulque, which had to be drunk the day after its brewing, was less intoxicating than grape wine; but the desire to preserve it, and the longing for something stronger, caused it to be adulterated with different preparations,[2] and against this abuse the laws were more especially directed.[3] The higher classes, deeming these drinks unfashionable, patronized grape wine from Spain, the introduction of which increased as the Brunonian medical theory came in vogue. Dress in New Spain at the beginning of the nineteenth century served to mark the classes, not alone by its abundance and quality, but by its distinctive features for different professions and ranks. Thus the official, the judge, the doctor, the barber, could be recognized by their hats, capes, collars, cuffs, sword, and the like; and so with the humble classes and Indians, the latter being restricted to their peculiar covering,[4] which must not be adopted by even the lower mixed breeds. Nevertheless the simple maxtli,
- ↑ Three days in the street-cleaning gang was one of the punishments.
- ↑ See Native Races, ii. 359, this series.
- ↑ The wine-shops were reduced in number, their hours limited, a special body was formed to supervise the enforcement of liquor laws—Azanza, Instruc., MS., 32-4, dwells on this measure—and other steps were taken at different times, often dictated by excessive prudence, and of little value, except as regards the adulteration.
- ↑ For which I refer the reader to the Native Races, ii. 363 et seq.
consumed more meat per head than Paris, although the large Indian population hardly ever touched this article; the bread consumption was slightly less than in Paris. His estimates show that $72 was expended on the food and clothing of a laborer's family in the hot regions, and $20 less on the plateau. One third of the colored classes expended $300 a year. Essai Pol., i. 110, 198, etc. The last observation may explain the peculiarity in the preceding figures.
