The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-06-04
MISCELLANEOUS.
From the Ne,O York .Norning Courier.
CITY OF MEXICO.

We have now lying before us, description
of the City of Mexico, and the surrounding
scenery, preceded by concise history of the
City, from which we make the following ex-
tracts We were astonished to learn that there
is not to exceed taoenty white European females
in the city, containing as it does, 10000 in
habitants
The capital of Mexico, the oldest city in
America Of which there is any authentic ac-
county is situated in the centre of vast plain
7470 feet above the level of the sea from
which the Cordilloras of Mexico rise in various
groups, to the height of from $4,000 to $4,000
feet The air of the elevated region is extreme
y salubrious although under the torrid zone,
it enjoys, from its height, all the advantages of
temperate climate, and its inhabitants attain
to as great longevity as those of any part of the
globe. In the coolest season, the mean heat
of the day is from So deg to 20 deg Fahren-
heit, and in the summer never above rs deg in
the shade. Fires are unknown, except for cult
nary purposes.
Mexico was founded, according to the ira
ditions of its early inhabitants, about the year
1925. The city is built on several small islands,
in the midst of the Lake Tezcuco. At the arri-
val of Cortez, in 1920, the city (Which was APP
preached by. three causeways of stone,) and
provinces were governed by Montezuma, the
ninth sovereign; and according to the writers
! of the time, the Mexicans had an extraordinary
DEGREE of wealth and splendor, were cosidera-
! bly advanced in arts and manufactures, and
were considered the most enlightened nation of
tho American continent. The effect produced
ON the Spaniards by their first view of the city,
is thus described by DIR. Robertson When, IN
! descending the mountains Of Chalco, the Span
iards first beheld the plain Of Mexico one of the
most striking and beautiful on the face of the
earth; when they observed fertile and cultvat-
ed fields, stretching farther than the eye could
reach when they saw lake, resembling the
sea in extent, encompaSsed with large towns
and discovered the capital city rising upon an
island in the middle, adorned with its temples
and turrets, the scene so far exceeded their I'M
animation. that some believed the fanciful de-
scriptions of romance were presented to their
views others could hardly persuade themselves
that this wonderful spectacle was any thing
more than dream Cortez himself speaks o.
the city as very beautiful, containing magnifi-
cent buildings, canals, squares, DC, and having
at least 900 inhabitants The city was be-
seged for seventy-f five days and nights without
intermission, and was defended by the Mexican:
street by street, with the most determined bra
very both victors and vanquished destroyed
all in their power, ard committed crueltes
without parallel in history. On the 18th OF Au
gust 1921, more than three fourths of the build
ings being demolished, the canal choaked up
and every means of defence being at an end
the Mexicans surrendered The fate of tht
capital decided that of the empire; the provin
{ ces Immediately submitted; Mexico became
colony of Spain, and from that period enjoyed
an uninterrupted tranquility for nearly three
centuries annually distributing over Europe
treasure to an almost incredible amount.
\ Although they professed allegiance to The
Spanish government in all its fortunes, yet un
der these expressions of loyalty, party was
formed, whose aim was complete independence
} The flame rapidly spread; and the crisis being
hastened by a violent exercise Of authority, the
standard Of liberty was first hoisted on the l5tl