Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1843-04-11
From the New Orleans Picayune.
THE CITY OF MEXICO.


a new traveller while progressing through
the large cities Of Mexico,i is the inordinate
thirst Of gold that does still, and always
must have characterized the rulers and
priesthood of the country. While q great
mass Of the population are in actual pow
crty, verging on starvation, The churches
and the palaces are gorged with wealth
and treasure. The tyranny of the old con-
qnerors is still alive, and the miserable de-
graded state to which the poor aborglnes
have been reduced. ard in which the pau
per portion Of even the Mexicans them
selves exist, is truly pitiable.
Much has been written a5ou: the mild
climate of Mexico. and little Is left TO say
Of it that would not assume the appear
ance Of repetition. Yet the traveller be-
meath those sunny skies can scarcely re-
press a disposition to record his emotions
if once a pen come between his fingers;
and, indeed, it would be difficult for even
the most poetic fancy to be too warm and
glowing upon the subj ct Fire-paces and
stoves are no common things in the city
OF Mexico, and houses are built without
thought Of such provis' on as ii chimney
place. Cooking is done out Of doors, in
the streets and yards, and daily spectacle
in public squares is beggars and others,
with small furnaces. preparing the scanty
fare for use. This fact shows en-
phatically The nature Of the climate.
The great capitol is situated in a broad
and beau'iful plain, cncompassed by g-
gantic mountains, to The SUBMITS of which
the eye is continually rowing; the bold con-
trast Of nature stupendous work, with the
d1mps and steepIes below. rresisnbly
forcing wonder and admiration upon the
mind. Regarding the city itself, the ira
vcler WI Il not always form favorable i'm
pressions when first behoding it; and. in
fact. those who have INDUCED IN excite
ment over warm descriptions Of the coun-
try, arr very apt to be stricken with the
chill Of disappointment. Nor Is even a
Soiourn Of several weeks sufficient 10
change this frame Of entorprza. Il lin
GERS upon you. and is likely to remain
your strongest bent Of feeling when you
'e1ve. Il is certainly true that there are
many buiIdingS-mostIy public. however
-churches. converts, monastaries and so
FORTH. or great and striking proportions,
which never fail to arrest the observation
Of the stranger; hut lis more from their
antiqnated style Of structure than anything
Ike real Architectural elegance.
These Buildings are mostly old and al
ready remarkable for venerable appear
ancn. though they are all likely TO stand
as long again and longer. for their durabil
Nv would seem really TO defy the progress
Of time. The old Spanish mode Of build
ing prevails, Of course. throughout the
city. giving rich novelty at any rate, to
the eve of the American visitor, ard ma
king the scene quaint and Picturesque
The houses are all similar ia construction,
being of stone, and very seldom varying
another point coming in contradiction with
tn" romantic features Of the city. which
we have thus mentioned. and lis effects is
materially to mar the pleasure Of the ira
Weller. The general appearance Of every
thing in the way of architecture is mass
We, and but Iltle of grandeur is to be
'ound. save in the Interior Of, the churches
and palaces. while real elegance is to be
seen no where. \ heavy and sombre ef-
lect is produced by the ancient style Of
structure. Ia the houses the floors are
Of tile or common brick, and the stranger
will not caiI to observe Immediately the ab-
sencc Of fire places.
The streets are but roughly paved, and
none of them are at all over clnanIy.-
They are not planted with sidewalks and
cutters as ours are, but slope downward
FrDp, Coch edo 10 tho no h.
is generally covered drain. By far the
greater portion Of the thoroug hfares are
neglected. and our pen shrinks from de-
scrntion Of the filth and wretchedness to
be found in some Of them.
Mexico lies in the heart Of the noun
tains, high in the torrii region, seven thou
sand four hundred and forty feet above the
sea; and here, in vast valley, ovcrtopped |
by the huge Cordleras of the south. sits |
the capitol Of New Spain. 1t is a great
city, and one whose destinies. both Of old |
and to come, are now more than ever en-
gaging the attention OF the surrounding (
nations. Strange and semi. barbarous a 5
has been the history of the country !
through its career until this time, the hex,
or fifteen years promise even more |
eventful record. Fiercer days than those
Of the Spanish invader seem likely to
gloom over theand, and a deadlier fight than |
with Montezuma's people may yet be s,o
red Of the new Castilians and their newer
neighbors.
The population Of the city is now called
one hundred and seventy thousands; at
least. it was so estimated when Santa An
ma was garrisoned in his palace with many
troops around him. Yet to see the swarmS
Of human beings that almost constantly |
throng the streets. a natural impression |
arises that the numter must be greater.- !
Many composing these crowds, however, |
are not residents in the city, but wander
about the country in all directions, having /