Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-09-17

Er-
iavorite iiquor of the Mcxicans, called P,t,oue.
intending TO examine il more at leisure, we rose
before the sun the next morning. and found il
growing In the streets, and rJunai the town. I,
attains a size which surprises those who have
only seen 1t III European hot houses. We
measured some OF the leaves, and found tier,
ten feet long, fifteen inches wide. and e;rb,
thick; many of them were just open; their flow
GER stalk twenty feet high, and expanding, like
rich candelabras, taeir arms clustered witt! vel
low flowers.
The author adds at a i,,er period respecting
this plant, that IL is SCALED
here the Slaguey, and is of the greatest conse-
quence to the Mexicans, and very largely cul-
iyaled iroui Iefote TO Toiucca, and believe
much iar'her- From it is made the refreshing
and fasoritc beverage called pu,que-lt is in
universal request among the Inhabitants of the
Capital, Pucbla, IolGCca, &c. and such is the
consunption, that three cities just mentioned
paid duties upon 1t 10 the amount of S3f7 ,7S9
III the year OF 1928. Plantations of the agava
are very extensive between Ciiolula and San
Martin, tiie great road running for miles ,l,ro'
them They are sci about FIVE W six fec; asua-
der, and in favorable situations como iu;o slcsn
III about ten years. al which period the valuable
liquor IS TO be procured. As soon rs The own
or Ferceivcs the plant preparing 10 throw mp its
long flower stem, he cuts out the leaves which,
form lis centre, and hcliows il ont into the shape
OF The bowl. al the same time, removing mos; o.
The other !eafe s, so that the whole sap destined
for their supply flows To the great stem. and is
received by the bowl shaped cavity, into which,
1t runs with such raPi,iity 10 require ~ be
cinptied several times day, for the space o!
Two months. The liquor when collected IS
placed IN Jars or skis ii undergocs sI;.i,; fer
mentatiOn, which takes place n few DAYS. and
Is immediately tit for drinking. Strangers ,.rc-
fer 1t fresh, but the natives seldom take it Til it
IA cnfi lrnd n cf,
iGtid smell, denonuatcd fucrte, when il is cs-
tecrned in high perfection.
GA strong spirit, called pulaue brandy, is dis
titled from this liquor. The leaves form the
roofs Of some Indian houses, and fences. ropes.
thread, cloth and paper are also made from il.
some part OF the plants is also used incidentally
and the root prepared with sugar, is converted
into oulces or sweeimeats.o
Having reached the city of Puebla. MIR. r.
sta;es-'-ln the afternoon we assembled The bio h
tower OF the Cathedral and enJoycd the spIen-
did view o! the Pueba and the neiohbori,ood
Several of the most distinguished volcanic and
other mountains are IN the vicinity; but from,
This view, Popocaicpeti loses much oi its gran
deur. The pyramid of Ckoidula is only six
miles oft, and distinctly SCENTS base exceeds
that OF the great pyramid Of, Egypt; but the
work OF ran, when standing in Comparison with
TIE Surrounding pyramids ol nature, whose tops
are covered Will eternal SHOW, CiwIi!lies into in
significance.
:" The labor of ascending the tower IS amply
repaid by the view OF Tins regular and ;,cautjf,
city, the foundations OF which were lait bv the
SPaa'ari!s III 1888. 1t now contains about
10000 inhabitants, many Of li,am are wealth,
and live IN good style. IT Is i'll tl.e spIendor OF
/ IFS churches, anu other religious cG;iices ami
III The richness OF their eiidOW naa;s that PucLl;,
| must take the Irst rank III the Christian world
IN the proiuse ornaments o the affairs, the sacred
Vessels ana VestincntS, the expensive carving.
and gliding OF the interior OF the churches-Iii
me Ponpous religious procession and other cere-
monies, Ii yields 10 10 CITY in america or Eu-
rope The antiquarian viii here feel pccu-
liar qualifications he viii find himself removed
to the period of orr Gcnrys ana Edwards NOT
only III the style OF building OF those times. buf
even Ill The similarity Of customs and manners.
the same religion aud ceremonies, The same oh,
scryance OF holidays, with the religious process
siohs that at once were tie Solacc aud al.use-
ment OF our ancestors. In the churches he win
see las if the WORK OF yestprd,y} the same pro
fusion Oh sculpture, painting, gliding, now only
TO be fouEt Ill tie fragments of our most ancient
temples. lie statues, ba!ustrades CANDLE
STICKS, candeiabras &c. Of massive gold aud sill
yer, which have long disappeared in England.
are here IN daily use, and tiIc very dresses and
accou'ren;ents OF the country gcntlcmcu strong
iy rcriipd us of the period OF tl,e discovery -,
little alteration from their introduction by the
Spanlards the same high fronted military ssd,IIe.
WITH lis offensive cantists and covering for tl,e.
horses, that was worn by Cortez, and the enor
nous spur OF our Henry tic Seventh, are uo,y
IN constant use by the paysai-as, or country gen
ticnen.
:" The Cathedral, WHICH forms one side Of
inc great square, IS large pile of buildinc. with
little architectural ornament in its exterior. but
Is IL I
beyond description. So much is if covereJ
with ornaments that the Whole Of IFS fine effect is
considerably diminished. TIE centre of tfo
body, TOR example, IS overloaded as TO OBJ
struct the view Of its length.
"Fowards the south is placed The birI, altar
Almost superb temple Of exquisite ,yorkIn,nsl,;,,
ana Ill elegant taste, lately finished by an Itai-
ian artist, from Roman designs, but exccutcd
III .hcNico, and of native materials. II is NJ
such size as 10 occupy a considerable pa,f of tho
cathedral, and TO reach into the dome. Its
tiuit IS HAT 1t Is Zoo large being djspropo,onafe
TO Tie building in which il is placed, and also
100 modern to harmonic with the surrouud;ro
obJeci5 The materials arc the most beatfit,,i
marble and precious stones tina! can be found u,
view 1Paln ITS numerous and lofty columns
With Piinths and capitals of FURNISHED coll 80:
magnificent alter silver crowded ,tig, et,t,,c
&c. NC. have an unequallcd effect I haye fr,3
Yelled over most Of Europe, but know nof!,;nc
hke IL and only regret il docs n1 bclono. IN :,
building more worthy Of it,
:, The SIDE affairs all crowded TO excess