CHAPTER XII.
MEXICAN POLITENESS.--FREE GIFTS OF HOUSES AND OTHER PROPERTY.--AWKWARD MISTAKES.--AN ENGLISHWOMAN'S DILEMMA, AND HOW SHE GOT OUT OF IT.--UNCLE FREDDY AND THE GOVERNOR OF ACAPULCO.--THE GREAT MARKET; SIGHTS AND SCENES THERE.--ON THE CANAL.--EXTENSIVE LOCAL COMMERCE.--THE CHINAMPAS, OR FLOATING GARDENS.--AN EXCURSION ON THE LAKES.--SANTA ANITA, A PLACE OF RECREATION.--EXPERTS IN DIVING.--THE HILL OF ESTRELLA.--THE FESTIVAL OF FIRE; PRESCOTT'S DESCRIPTION OF THE FEARFUL CEREMONY.--FISHING IN THE LAKES.--THE AXOLOTL.--FISH OR REPTILE?--FLIES' EGGS AS AN ARTICLE OF FOOD. 179