In “Humboldt’s Political Essay on the Kingdom of New Spain,” we find the following curious instance of inveterate indulgence in the use of spirituous liquors:—

“In New Spain, drunkenness is most common among the Indians, who inhabit the valley of Mexico, and the environs of Puebla and Tlascala, wherever the Magney or Agave are cultivated on a great scale.

The Police in the city of Mexico sends round tumbrils (small carts) to collect the drunkards to be found stretched out in the streets.

These Indians, who are treated like dead bodies, are carried to the guard-house.

In the morning, an iron ring is put round their ancles, and they are made to clean the streets for three days.

They let them go on the fourth day, but are sure to find several of them stretched out again in the course of the week.”