Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-07-17
MEXICO.

~ which ha. been obligingly furnished
y, for publication. Mr.. A. visited Tue
MEXICAN nation last summer, travelled o.
yer most Of its provinces, and spent soa's
time at the metropolis. His descr'p''oa
is undoubtedly drawn up With accuracy
and will be read with interest.
(SaratogG Sentiasf.
getty OF MEXICO.
Mexico is situated in lat. 90, IS,
N. lon. 90, ". Its form is square,
being about 5000 yards on each side.
It is built on a level plain, formed by
the junction of several islands, which
were formerly about a league from
the main land on tina west---but ny
the draining of the lake there is little
or no water between the city and the
main land, on the w. and n. w.;
and there are several communlca-
tons, and in different directions with
the high lands, by means OF made
roads or causeways. The prospect
at approaching the city from the
eastward, is beautiful; a large lake
on your right, the city in front, & a
chain Of mountains forming semi
circle from 8. to N. on your left
the sides and bases Of which, as well
as the low lands, are in high culti'a-
ton. with various churches, houses,
and cottages. to variegate the scene.
The streets are laid off at right an
giles, and nearly correspond with the
four cardinal poiats-they are paved
with small stones, with a gutter in
the middle of the street, and fiat
stones laid for side walks, and are
so level. that after a shower of rain,
the water remains some hours before
it can run off; neither are the streets
named, but the squares, which are
called after the nearest church. The
houses are mostly built Of volcanic
stone, generally plastered on the out
side, with white OF grey cement--
some have their fronts covered with
ornamented tile, and they are mostly
two stories, some three, and a few
four, and have cost immense Sums to
build them, as they occupy large
space, and the materials are all
brought from the high lands on the
backs Of mules and jacks. The floors
OF the houses are made of brick or
tile, a few are covered with cement
and painted. The inside walls are
covered with white cement, and Or
namented with paintings, according
to the fancy Of the owner. There is
no wood used IN building except for
the rafters, doors, and windows-the
sashes are even made Of tin; and not
one chimney is to be seen in this
large city, as their cooking is done
with charcoal, and tho regular tenn
perature Of the climate renders fire
unnecessary for bodily comfort, be-
ing from as to 20 OFF. The churches
are sixty-fye in number, are we'll
built, and highly decorated. and are
the most splendid buildings in the
country, The inquisition is situated
within two squares of the centre of
the city, on the north side. /! is a
regular building, two stories high,
has but Que entrance, and that on the
corncr-it occupies whole square,
has but few windows, which gives it
a gloomy appearance-it is now con-
yerted into prison for state prison.
eis, and a guard house-but no relic |
is to be seen of their former imple
ments of torture. The custom house |
is situated between the inquisitinn
and public square-is plain build
ing, two stories high, aud $50 feet |
long, and here is deposited all the
merchandise that comes to Mexico. |
and there remains until IL per cent.
is paid On their valuation. The pa
lace is built Of White stone, and oc-
cupies the east side Of the public
square; in one Of its Wings is the
common Jail and The mint. The the
atre is large building, not splendid
without, but sufficient to contain 5000
persons, and its decorations are RAJ
Their ordinary, The circus, or bull
fight. is situated on the S E. part Of
the city; its form is circular, having
three rows of boxes, and is sufficient
ly Iarge-to contain 10000 people
There are several nunneries, which
are gloomy looking buildings having