Stella Confidente," the little violinist
really playing remarkably well. Then the elder woman comes round with
a little tin saucer for our contributions. No slightest word or look
of disappointment or displeasure follows the refusal of those who give
nothing. The saucer is presented to each in turn. I supposed that
the application to Si'or Pantaleone was an empty form. But no. That
retired gentleman could still find wherewithal to patronize the fine
arts, and dropped a centime--the fifth part of a cent--into the dish
with the air of a prince bestowing the grand cross of the Golden
Fleece. Then comes a dealer in ready-made trousers, which Pantaloon
examines curiously and cheapens. Then a body of men singing
part-songs, not badly, but to some disadvantage, as they utterly
ignore the braying of half a dozen trumpets which are coming along the
Riva in advance of a body of soldiers returning to some neighboring
barracks. Then there are fruit-sellers and fish-sellers and
hot-chestnut dealers, and, most vociferous of all, the cryers of
"Acqua! acqua! acqua fresca!" There, making its way among the numerous
small vessels from Dalmatia, Greece, etc. moored to the quay of the
Schiavoni, comes a boat from the Peninsular and Oriental steamer,
which arrived this morning from Alexandria, with four or five
Orientals on board. They come on shore, and proceed to saunter
along the Riva toward the Grand Piazza, while their dark faces and
brightly-colored garments add an element to the motley scene which is
perfectly in keeping with old Venetian reminiscences.

T.A.T.

A NEW MEXICAN CHRISTMAS EVE.

It is Christmas Eve in Albuquerque. Blazing fagots of mesquite-roots
placed on the surrounding adobe walls illuminate the old church on
the plaza. There is a grand _baile_ at the fonda, to which we and our
"family are most respectfully invited." The sounds of music already
invite us to the ball-room. We enter. The floor is full; a hundred
couples are gliding through the graceful "Spanish dance," or "slow
waltz," as it is termed here. Not a few blue-and-gold United States
uniforms are to be seen in the throng. A full-uniformed major-general
of volunteers adds the eclat of his epaulettes to the occasion. The
ranchos have poured in their senoras and senoritas, and three rows of
the dark-eyed creatures sit ranged around the room.

The Mexican women look their best in a ball-room. Their black eyes,
black hair and white teeth glisten in th