the celebration of this year was far below that of others. The cause of
this dullness was generally stated to be the great amount of sickness
prevalent in the city. However that may be, it certainly was a tame
affair. On the 15th two processions took place, one in the morning,
the other in the afternoon; these were arranged by two clubs of young
people, and each desired to surpass the other. We saw that of the
afternoon, and found it not particularly interesting. A number of
private carriages, drawn up in line, passed through the streets; within
were gentlemen, ladies and children, but few of them wore masks, or
were otherwise notable; besides these, in the procession, were five
allegorical cars. One represented a gilded boat containing pretty girls;
it was arranged to seem to rise and fall upon a billowy sea. A second
float represented the well-known ancient statue, the Chacmool; an
indian, in the attitude of the figure mentioned, held an _olla_ upon his
breast, while one or two others stood near him as guards or companions.
The most attractive float was loaded with the products of Yucatan, and
a group of figures symbolizing its industries and interests. Upon the
fourth, a female figure stood erect in a chariot drawn by lions. The
fifth was comic, and represented marriage in public and private--a
vulgar couple indulging in affectionate display before a partition,
and in a conjugal quarrel behind it. These floats were scattered at
intervals through the procession, which was of no great length.

By this time Ramon had suffered violent agonies, and had become so weak
that assistance was needed when he walked. The second day in Merida we
had sent for a competent physician, who assured us that nothing was the
matter excepting an unimportant attack of bilious fever, and that with a
day or two of treatment he should be entirely recovered. On his second
visit he was much irritated, as the young man had not made the promised
improvement, and assured us that there was no cause for his collapse.
During our first visit to Merida, in hunting through the city for
Protestants--a practice in which he invariably indulged whenever we
reached a town of consequence--Ramon had happened on an interesting
little man who represents the American Bible Society in this district.
By name Fernandez, this gentleman was born in Argentina, educated in
Spain, and has served as colporteur in the states of Chiapas, Tabasco
and Yucatan for upwards of a do