The Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu (Oahu), Hawaii) 1840-1841, 1841-12-04
Vol. =. No. 20.

dressed children amusc themselves and
the spectators by their noisy gambols A
bridge thrown over stream at the com
menccment of this promenade, is built
with the same regard to taste and effect,
and is also Il very fashionable scat: Il pet
ty little waterfall dashes down into the
stream, which below it becomes quite a
river, large enough for pleasure boats, one
or two of which are seen gliding in the
distance, at times concealed among its
wndings by the overhanging shrubbery,
and then shooting up to the very foot of
the fall, within speaking distance of the
pedestrians on the bridge. Here, close
by is dye house, the contrast between
which and our unsigh,ly ones at home
struck me, as another evidence Of the
good taste of these people. Instead of
an unsigI'ily, dirty looking clapboard af-
fair, offending more senses than one, here
is a tasteful and neat looking building,
made of adobics, pastered and painted
SO as to resemble slate stone, with hand
some arched gateway and wall cnclos-
ing the grounds, having more the appear
aacc Of gen,leman's country seat, than
a dyehousc. This promenade was thus
tastefully ornamcnted by the citizens Of
Jalapa, Il lottery having been got up for
the purpose, the proceeds from which
were devoted to this object. and a more
romantic spot could not have been chosen.
The surrounding hills, rising up in the
distance covered with trees with the snow
capped summit of Orizaba towering far
above them, form pleasing background
to the beautiful scenery around.
We celebrated the anniversary of our
national independence, by having a sup
per in the evening, mastering for that pur-
pose all the Yankees in the place; we
numbered ten in all, and spent the even
ing after the usual manner, in songs, senti-
ments, &c but was too sensible of the
pleasure was losing by my not being at
home at this time, to enjoy the evening.
After stay in J. of twelve days, every
one of which appeared week to me,
joyfnlly took my seat again in the coach
for Vera Cruz, bidding adcu to beautiful
Jalapa without shadow of regret. Here
we parted from one of our number, Mr.
c., whose declining health had induced
him to remain and try the effects of the
famed climate of Jalapa. lie was in i'll
health when we started and our arduous
jaunt had been too much for him.
We rode until 5 o'clock, p. NJ, and
stopped at place called the Plan del Rio,
where we found the heat almost in,olcra-
BILE, and we began to have very unpIeas-
ant mIsglvlngs concerning the state of the
Thermometer at Vera Cruz. We were
necessarily occupied in making sundry
lahorious but Intellectual efforts to sleep,
but the balmy god gave us dead cut.
At midnight we were reused to take our
places in the coach. The road from JAIL
apa to Vera Cruz is horrible, most of it
steep descent, Jaapa being about 1000
above the level of the sea. 1t is a most
uncomfortable sensation, that of being
sleepy in a coach, especially when the
road is none of the best. One vainly at
tcmpts to combat this drowsy feeling,
which at last overpowers him, and his
head drops on his breast, catching a MIN
ute's uneasy slumber, till tremendous
Jerk of the coach throws him from his