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Show 160 LEADING FACTS OF NEW MEXICAN HISTORY Another very popular amusement was the game known as pelota resembling very much the American game of hockey or shinny. Whole communities were accustomed, upon feast-days, to engage in this exhilarating sport, having chosen sides for the purpose. ‘‘Respecting fandangos,”’ Says Gregg, ‘‘I will observe that this term, as it is used in New Mexico, is never applied to any particular dance, but is the usual designation for those BALLS AND BAILES ordinary assemblies where dancing and frolicking are carried on; baile, or ball, being generally applied to those of a higher grade. The former especially are very frequent; for nothing is more general through out the country, and with all classes, than dancing. From the gravest to the buffoon — from the richest nabob to the beggar — from the governor to the ranchero — from the soberest matron to the flippant bell — from e the grandest sefora to the cocinera — all partake of this exhilarating amusement. To judge from the quantity of tuned instruments which salute the ear almost every night in the week, where. one would suppose that a perpetual carnival prevaile d everyThe musical instruments used at the bailes and fandangos are usually the fiddle and the bandolin, or guitarra, accompa nied occasionally acquire struments.’’ considerable proficiency The musicians in the use of these in- m F $-4-.f 1-3 De Pl aeal olee eee ee Yee rs oe >; 3 ee Ok & ate ae a eee * 2 Ee he Pe te 2? £ a = : in some villages by the tombé, or little Indian drum. The term misnomer. Santa Fé ‘‘ fandango,’’ as used The ‘‘ fandango’’ traders, trappers, for this mistake in terms, was and by a Dr. Gregg, species of backwoodsmen is essentially a dance. were The old responsible One might as well call an American ball a “‘two-step.’’ The proper term for this form of public amusement was and is ‘‘baile,’? pronounced—by-lay. All important perSonages visiting the capital were welcomed prises were inaugurated and concluded with any which could be ealled the national Mexicans the baile is entitled to the name. and all a baile. public enterIf there was amusement of the New These were usually held in the sala of a private residence or in some buildin g used for this purpose of New or for other public Mexico, down to very gatherings. recent years, In the public principal towns bailes were held almost nightly. The sala or room was usually wide enough for a single cotillion and long enough for half a dozen or more; at the end of the room, opposite the entrance, was a raised platform for the musicos, an orchestra composed of persons playing the violin, guitar, harp, and sometimes the cornet and clarinet, and again, at times, , c : : lo tholie Archbishops of the Roman Cathol - Mt. Rey. Jd. B, Lamy, 2 Bo: Salpointe. Mt. Rev. ai NG Peter EGY. Placidus Bourgade. ae Dp Mt. Chureh Chapelle. Rev. Jd. wd. I >? >. Mt. Kev. Pitaval J. |