The _frijol_, a rich, nutritive, brown bean, altogether different, however, from the ordinary _Garrabanzos_, is universally found on the tables of Mexican gentlefolks and in the humble platters of the Indians or Mestizos. Various kinds of this valuable esculent are raised in the republic; but the dark bean of Vera Cruz is always sought as a delicacy in the houses of the upper classes throughout the republic. It is both wholesome and nourishing. Mixed with the stimulating gravy formed of _chile_, and eaten with a _tortilla_ or corn cake, it soon becomes a necessary of life to a stranger who resides for any length of time in Mexico. Some of our country men have become so fond of the food, that they have brought the bean with them upon their return to the United States, and now supply their table with it instead of _hominy_. From the _frijol_, the _tortilla_, and the _Chile pepper_ we pass to the great national liquor, which requires generally longer time to win the favor of foreigners. THE MAGUEY--METL, or AGAVE AMERICANA, is a species of Ananas, or Aloe, from which is made octli or _pulque_, the favorite beverage of the lower and middle classes of Mexicans, especially in the central parts of the table land. This plant grows wild in almost every part of Mexico, yet the people do not extract a liquid from it, except in the neighborhood of Puebla and the capital, where its consumption is enormous. The principal plantations are in the States of Puebla, Mexico, Guanajuato, and a small portion of Valladolid. The districts most celebrated for the excellence of their liquor, are in the vicinity of Cholula and the Plains of Apam. So great was the consumption of this favorite national drink, that the small municipal tax upon it, at the gates of the cities, amounted, before the revolution, to $600,000--and, in the year 1793, to upwards of $800,000. Pulque is so little known in Europe, or in the United States, that some account of the process, by which it is made, may be acceptable. [Illustration: MAKING PULQUE.] "The Maguey, or aloe, from which it is extracted, differs but little, in appearance, from those which abound in the south of Spain, and are known--though of a much smaller size--in England. Its growth is slow, but when arrived at maturity, its leaves are usually from five to eight feet in length, although some considerably exceed these dimensions.