Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-07-17

In tho centre of the present empire of
Mexico, and within the borders Of the beau
tiiul country once inhabited by the ancestors
Of those wild and splendid savagcs, the Ca
manchccs, lies chain of elevated noun
Gains whose snowy peaks pierce the skies,
leaving the vast field of clouds floating mid
way between them and the plains. Toward
the south they make majestic curve and
enclose within their embrace circle twelve
leagues in diameter, in the midst Of which
sleeps like a fair garden, the valley of Alcolo
Gts,lf enclosed by lakc) and the loveiest
gem on the breast of earth. One of these
mountains is lottier than the rest, and on
its summit burns star-like blaze, which is
said to be single diamond, but inaccessible
to human reach. This peak is hence called
the "Mountain of the Burning Stone" BY
day, the slining apex gIows with all the dyes
Of the rainbow; at night its light is like pale
moonshinc.
AT the time of our story this valley was the
centre of an empire now 70 more. Here
was the palace and throne of the emperors,
and the centre of wealth, power and magni-
Gcence. In its midst rose Il proud city, gor-
geous with swelling domcs, ncedlc-ikc pin
s.scles and majestic towers, through which,
dividing into two parts, flowed astatcly riv-
or which, for more than league, reflected
from, either shore, on its silver bosom, two
continuous lines OF temples, palaces and ed
iiices of costly grandeur.
On the throne of this glorious empire sa,
SLYD, the last monarch of his race. lie
was naughty, impcrious and cruel Ills foot
rested upon the necks Of his subjects, and
his sccptre was converted into a Sword which
hourly drank human blood. But Eylla, the
daughter of Ulyd, was gentle as the dove il
spirit; as beautiful as Lyn, the Angel of tn,
Flowers, and graceful as the antelope tina
runs upon the mountains. The tyrant lovet
his daughter, and thu, love Was all that har
monized his nature.
In one Of the lesser streets Of this gorge
Gus capital lived poor nct-maker, who's
sole meri. was his honesty, and whose onl
income was the daily pittancc earned b
the toll of his hands. lie was wdower
but Heaven had tempered its judgments viii
mercy, and left him a son to share his labor
and solace his old age. Monczuma, til
name Of this youth, was now twenty years {
age. His stature was lofty and his port nc
BILE; while grace and beauty were s,ampc
upon his face and person. Ills dignity wa
that Of virtue; his beauty that OF a gent
temper and cheerful heart lie was believe
and idolized by all Of hi, rank, doatcd on b
his father, and despised, 50 closely had nj
ture allied him to them, by the mobiles. Sue
was Monlezuma, at the period Of our stor
III.
Stand aside, scrf!' were the stern ton
Of an officer, addressed to youth who wi
thousand others was watching the processi'
OF the emperor, his mobiles and the priests
the Sun on their way to offer sacrifices
each gate of the city, topropitiate the wra
of ,heir doty-for, rain had not fallen on I
earth in the space of four months, and t
fierce sun had burned up the harvcsts. i
eyes Of this youth seemed to be fixed mo
particularly on the princess Eylla, than
tho spectacle. :
Stand aside, serf!' and giittcring spca
point at the same nstantpricked the breast
the youth. who caught il in his hand, ere
could penetrate, wrcsted it from the noble
grasp broke it in twain, and cast the piec
dsdaiufully at his feet.
'lla! It's the slave Montezuma cried I