Life in Mexico | Page 7

residence in Mexico, by a lady, whose position there made her
intimately acquainted with its society, and opened to her the best
sources of information in regard to whatever could interest an
enlightened foreigner. It consists of letters written to the members of
her own family, and, really, not intended originally--however
incredible the assertion--for publication. Feeling a regret that such rich
stores of instruction and amusement, from which I have so much
profited, myself, should be reserved for the eyes of a few friends only, I
strongly recommended that they should be given to the world. This is
now done, with a few such alterations and omissions as were necessary
in a private correspondence; and although the work would derive more
credit from the author's own name, than from anything which I can say,
yet as she declines prefixing it, I feel much pleasure in making this
statement by way of introduction to the public.
WILLIAM H. PRESCOTT.
Boston, December 20, 1842.

GLOSSARY
OF
SPANISH OR MEXICAN WORDS WHICH OCCUR IN THE
COURSE OF THE WORK, WHICH ARE GENERALLY
EXPLAINED WHEN FIRST USED, BUT WHICH BEING
REPEATED, THE READER MIGHT FORGET AND WISH TO
REFER TO.
_Administrador_-Agent. _Alameda_-Public walk with trees.
_Aquador_-Water-carrier. _Alacran_-Scorpion. _Anquera_-Coating of
stamped gilt leather, edged with little bells, which covers the back of
the horses. _Arriero_-Muleteer. _Arroba_-Spanish weight of
twenty-five pounds. _Azotea_-The flat roof of a house.
_Barranca_-Ravine. _Botica_-Apothecary's shop. _Calle_-Street.
_Cargadores_-Men who carry loads. _Chinguirito_-Spirit made from
sugar-cane. _Chile_-Hot peppers. _Compadre and
Comadre_-Godfather and Godmother; names by which two persons
address each other, who have held the same child at the baptismal font,
or have been sponsors together at a marriage, etc. _Canonigo_-Canon

or prebendary. _Comicos_-Actors. _Camarista_-Lady of honour. _día
de Anos_-Birthday. _Dulces_-Sweetmeats. _Díario_-Daily newspapers.
_Frisones_-Large horses from the north. _Función_-Solemnity-festival.
_Frijoles_-Brown beans. _Galopina_-Kitchen-girl.
_Garbanzos_-Chick-peas Cicer Arietinum. _Gachupin_-Name given to
the Spaniards in Mejico. _Garita_-City-gate. _Goleta_-Schooner.
_Gentuza_-Rabble. _Honras_-Funeral honours.
_Hacienda_-Country-place. _Ingenio de Azucar_-Sugar plantation.
_Invalidos--Disabled soldiers. _Jarro_--Earthen jar.
_Ladrones_--Robbers. _Léperos_--Beggars, low persons.
_Litera_--Litter. _Monte Pio_--Office where money is lent on security.
_Mezcal_--Brandy distilled from pulque. _Manga_--Cloak made of
cloth, with a hole in the middle for putting the head through.
_Novios_--Betrothed persons. _Nuestro Amo_--Our Master, used in
speaking of the Host. _Ojo de Agua_--Spring of water.
_Portales_--Covered portico supported by columns. _Pulqueria_--Shop
where pulque is sold. _Paseo_--Public walk. _Paso_--Pace, pacing.
_Padrino_--Godfather. _Plaza_--Square. _Patio_--Courtyard.
_Petate_--Matting. _Poblana_--Woman of Puebla.
_Pronunciamiento_--A revolution in Mexico. _Pronunciados_--Those
who revolt. _Rancho_--A farm. _Ranchero_--Farmer. _Rebozo_--A
scarf that goes over the head. _Reja_--Iron grate. _Sopilote_--Species
of carrion vulture. _Sarape_--A woollen blanket more or less fine, with
a hole for the head to go through. _Traspaso_--Conveyance, transfer.
_Tilma_--Indian cloak. _Tierra caliente_--The hot land. _Tertulia_--An
evening party. _Toreador_--Bull-fighter. _Tortilla_--Species of thin
cake. _Tortillera_--Woman who bakes tortillas. _Vaca_--Joint stock in
gambling. _Vomito_--Name given to the yellow fever. _Venta_--Inn.

LIFE IN MEXICO

LETTER THE FIRST
Departure of the Norma--Last look of New York
Bay--Fellow-passengers --Contrary Winds--Deceitful
Appearances--Sunset in Southern Latitudes --Seas passed over by
Columbus--Varied Occupations on Shipboard--Berry Islands--Bahama
Banks--Evening in a Tropical Sea--L. E. L.--Pan of Matanzas--Morro

Castle--Bay of Havana--Arrival--Handsome House in Havana--Sights
and Sounds.

PACKET SHIP "NORMA,"
Oct. 27th, 1839.
This morning, at ten o'clock, we stepped on board the steamboat
Hercules, destined to convey us to our packet with its musical name.
The day was foggy and gloomy, as if refusing to be comforted, even by
an occasional smile from the sun. All prognosticated that the Norma
would not sail to-day, but "where there's a will," etc. Several of our
friends accompanied us to the wharf; the Russian Minister, the Minister
of Buenos Ayres, Mr. -----, who tried hard to look sentimental, and
even brought tears into his eyes by some curious process; Judge -----,
Mr. -----, and others, from whom we were truly sorry to part.
The Norma was anchored in one of the most beautiful points of the bay,
and the steamboat towed us five miles, until we had passed the
Narrows. The wind was contrary, but the day began to clear up, and the
sun to scatter the watery clouds.
Still there is nothing so sad as a retreating view. It is as if time were
visibly in motion; and as here we had to part from -----, we could only
distinguish, as through a misty veil, the beauties of the bay; the shores
covered to the water's edge with trees rich in their autumnal colouring;
the white houses on Staten Island--the whole gradually growing fainter,
till, like a dream, they faded away.
The pilot has left us, breaking our last link with the land. We still see
the mountains of Neversink, and the lighthouse of Sandy Hook. The
sun is setting, and in a few minutes we must take our leave, probably
for years, of places long familiar to us.
Our fellow-passengers do not appear very remarkable. There