Yesterday a large reception at the British Legation in honor of the King's birthday. The Union Jack was flying high over the entrance as we went in, the house was filled with beautiful flowers, and there was much health-drinking and good wishes. The official world, Mexican and foreign, of course out in full force, and the colony--altogether a very pleasant occasion, with that special English feeling of "empire" behind it all. Mrs. Stronge has been ill, but she was seeing a few friends up-stairs in the charming corner room, with its view of the volcanoes. The old quotation came, as so often, to my mind, _Si á morar en Indias fueras, que sea donde los volcanes vieres_. The pet of the Legation, a bright green parrot, or, to be more precise, a green, _bright_ parrot, brought from Bogotá, was helping her receive. I came home with the ambassador, who goes to Washington for two weeks over the northern route, and Schuyler is to "enjoy" his absence. Now I must close; Tuesday visitors are beginning to arrive. _June 5th, evening._ This morning at 8.30 I heard dear Aunt L.'s voice outside my door. She had arrived from Orizaba with Laurita, who has masses of beautiful red-gold hair. She is now sitting in a big armchair, doing nothing, I am thankful to say, though _The House of Mirth_ is within reach when she feels like reading. So glad to have her here. _June 7th._ The reception at the Casasuses last night was a most gorgeous affair. He is one of the few _científicos_ still visible in Mexico City, a man of much cultivation and erudition. He has preserved his relations with the Madero family, also his money, but there is that in his eye which makes one feel that he has not preserved his illusions. The reception was to open his splendid new house in the Calle de los Heroes, which has been building since some years, and also for the _contrat de mariage_ of his eldest daughter. A fine band was sounding as we went in through the _zaguán_. The great _patio_ was covered with a sort of light-blue velum, and behind it were myriads of star-like lights. The great fountain was ablaze, too, and everything was decorated with wreaths of marguerites, recalling the name of the fiancée, who is to marry a son of the famous Justo Sierra, Minister of Public Instruction under Diaz. Madame C., large and impressive and a blaze of diamonds, was flanked by her two pretty, slim daughters, very _jeune fille_ as to dress, but rather sophisticated as to expression. The _novia_ was in white, and the younger girl in a similar costume of blue.