A MEXICAN BALL.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2063, 14 August 1875, Page 4

A MEXICAN BALL.

The Mexican women look their best in a ball room. Their black eyes, black hair, and .white teeth glisten in the light; they are dressed in the gayest of gay colors, ponderous ornaments of gold, strongly, relieved by their dusky complexions, shed around them a rich; barbaric lustre. Not that they eschew adventitious means to blanch their sunshadowed tints. For days some of the senoras and senoritas have worn a mask of a white clayey, mixture to give them ephemeral whiteness for this occasion. Those who could procure nothing else have worn .a pasty vizard kneaded of common clay, to effect in some degree a like result by protecting their faces from the sun and'wind. Should you visit New Mexico, and, as you ride slowly along in the heat of mid-day, meet a senorita who gazes at you with a pair of. jet black eyes through a hideous ghastly mask of mud and water, do not be frightened from your accustomed propriety. The senorita is preparing her toilette de hal. The" New Mexican women cannot be considered pretty, generally speaking. In artistic symmetry of feature, in purity of " complexion they are. not to toe compared: to our countrywomen These- can' bear the searching light of day, when delicacy of detail can be distingished and appreciated. Those look their best in the artificial light of the ball room. There the "blue-black hair, the brilliant black eyes, the well-traced eyebrows, the magnificently white and regular teeth, the richly developed forms, produce a general effect, before which our, blonde and delicate beauties seem pale and faded. But the. Mexican's coarser skin —her feint hasane-ris too plainly visible in the light of the sun ; you should see her only by the lamps. It is doubtless rather from a spirit of coquetry than other feeling that in the day time the Mexican women shroud their dusky traits in the folds of their rebosas, leaving, only. a pilot eye to look upon the outer world. No introductions are necessary at the public balls. Saunter around the room, inspect the show of expectant partner's and when you see one that suits your, fancy ask her to dance without more aido. If she be not engaged she will at once accept your proffered arm. She will not say anything. Ten to one she will, not breathe a syllable during your evolutions. Conversation is not theforte of the senoritas. But she will smile and smile, and you will have no reason to complain of her waltzing. The Mexican caballero, when he seeks a partner, will not put himself out so far as to have any words about it. He merely beckbns the chosen one, as the Sultan might throw a handkerchief, and she comes, at once. Each dance concluded, you lead your partner to s sort of bar where refreshments are furnished, and ask Mer whether she will take omo or dulees — wine or candies ? She will take dulees—" Gracias, senor!'! This is de rigueur. She pours the dulees into the awaiting. pockethandkerchief of the old, people,; her .comadres, and of the younger brothers and sisters. Waltzers, "round " and "«j|bw,''>are the piece de resistance of a Mexican ball; quadrilles are not relished by the dusky danseuses. There are some New Mexican dances which do not lack prettiness. Of these the Cunais the most popular. . It commences with a sea-saw movement suggestive of its' name—cuna or cradle dance. For the rest, the waltz enters much into its composition.—Lippincott's Magazine.