the priest pass at such a moment with the _host_, on his way to the chamber of a dying citizen, the _lepero_ would fall on his knees with the rest of the townspeople, yet whilst he beat his breast with one hand, he might be seen to keep the other tenaciously in his victim's pocket. If caught in the felonious act, which rarely happens, the _lepero_ takes the inflicted blows or choking with craven humility, and, whilst he shouts--"_ya esta, Senor amo,--ya esta!_" "enough, my master, oh enough!" he is seeking for another opportunity to pilfer his punisher's watch or purse, during the conflict. Such is the Mexican _lepero_. The sketch may seem broad or even caricatured to those who are unacquainted with the country, but its accuracy will be acknowledged by all who have resided in Mexico and been haunted by the filthy tribe. * * * * * The RANCHERO comes next in our classification of the Mexicans. He is a small farmer, or _vaquero_, who owns or hires a few acres on which he cultivates his corn or grazes his cattle. He is not an Indian, a white man, an African, or a lepero, yet he mixes the qualities of all in his motly character. He is a person of lofty thoughts and aspirations;--a devoted patriot;--a staunch fighter in all the revolutions whenever _guerillas_ are required;--a hard rider and capital boon companion over a bottle or in a journey among the mountains. On his small estate he devotes himself to the cultivation of the ground, or leaves this menial occupation to his family whilst he goes off to the wars or to carousals and _fandangos_ in the neighboring village _pulquerias_. He is an Arab in his habits, and especially in his love and management of the horse. Dressed in his leather trowsers and jerkin; with his serape over his shoulders, his broad brimed and silver corded _sombrero_ on his head; his heels armed with spurs whose three-inch rowels gleam like the blades of daggers; his sword strapped to the saddle beneath his _armas de agua_, and, grasping his gun in his hand,--the Ranchero is ready, as soon as he mounts, to follow you for months over the republic. He is the _nomade_ of the country, as the _lepero_ is of the town. His devotion to his animal is unbounded. The faithful quadruped is his best friend and surest reliance. His _lazo_ lies curved gracefully in festoons around the pommel of his saddle. Thus, with his trusty weapons and his horse, the mounted _ranchero_ is at home in the forest or in the open field; on hill side or in valley. Few riders, elsewhere, can equal him in speed or horsemanship; and few can excel him as a herdsman, a robber, an enemy, or even a _friend_ whenever you hit his fancy or are willing to understand his character and pardon his sins. INDIAN RACE OF MEXICO.