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Among other places we went to the Baratillo, which is the Rag-Fair and Petticoat Lane of Mexico, and moreover the emporium for whips, bridles, bits, old spurs, old iron, and odds and ends generally.
One reads of spurs, of gold and silver, with rowels in the shape of five-pointed stars six inches in diameter. These have quite gone out now, and seem to have been melted up, for they are hardly ever to be seen; but we bought at the baratillo of Mexico spurs of steel quite as large as this.
BARATILLO, a Rag-fair, market of odds and ends; see p. 169. BARBACOA, whence English "barbecue;" see p. 95; a native Haitian word. BARRANCCA, a ravine. CALZONCILLOS, drawers. CAPA, a cloak. CAYO, a coral-reef. CHAPARREROS, over-trousers of goatskin with the hair on, used in riding. CHINGUERITO, Indian-corn brandy. COMPADRE. COMADRE; French, compère, commère; see p. 250.
Of course, where thieving is so general, the market for stolen goods must be a place of considerable trade, and this Baratillo is one of the principal depôts for such wares. One may realize here the story of the citizen, in the old book, who had his wig stolen at the beginning of his walk through London, and found it hanging up for sale a little further on.
As we dismounted from the Diligence in Mexico, in the courtyard of the hotel, some one relieved him of it. We did not know of the Baratillo in those days, or would have gone to look for it there. At the time of our visit it was too late, for if it ever had been there, the Mexicans understand too well the value of an English "ulli," as they call them, to let it hang long for sale.
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