The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-05-28

Yucatan.
Correspondence of the Herald.l
LAGUNA DE TERMINUS, YucATAN,
April 2Olh, lS43.


April 2Oh, lS43
Nix. EDrroR:-
know not what may be the experience oil others,
but of truth this lot has always fallen TO me, to
Ind the New York Herald, emphatcaIly The paper
wherever go, and into whatever country travel.
vessel arrives from New York, repair on board,
UP my Panama to the complaisant Captain, intimate
my wish Tor newspaper, and forthwith from the
nice deep drawer OF his cabin table, he gently depo-
sits upon my lap file OF the Weekly Herald, and
that you Know puts me in a good humor, and set
down that Captain as an intelligent, clever man.
lhere, says he, are papers which always
carry 10 sea with me, go where and when may.
lfyou look for news, they are full-or tact and ia
lent they have no superior, and they rich IN all
useful information ! knew that well before, but
do not find fault with the accommodating Captain
for Saying it, neverthees A New York raper in
Laguna, with any other title than New York He
raid, is a 'rdrG dvis'
In every obscure retreat, in every city, howell and
hamlet OF the land from Rome the Eternal, to Rome
some western village far back upon the frontier
you have reporters and correspondents, sporting the
goose quill But here, In this lovely seaport, its
bellies and beauties, wars and women, have no his
torian. | am anxious that our little Island Home
should be remembered and talked OF by more than
the adventurous mariner, who not only takes away
our logwOOd, but bears with him kindly memory
of the place ard people, but whose simple stories
might be repeated to doomsday, and never get one.
half the circulation as one notice in the Herald
would give it. But enough for preface.
The bIsland of Carmen forms such an imposing
barrier to the fury of the winds and waves OF the
Mexican Gull, that the beautiful Lake OF Terminus,
as it spreads out from the town 10 the Southwark,
affords an excellent shelter and harbor to the
OF this lake and the beauty of the prospect, I
might write much-might say more OF melancholy
sons to the Locks of Scotland and Lakes of Swift
zerand, but refrain from the poetical, as our
springs here are not OF Hellcon nor our mounts OF
Parnassus. Every other subject must give way to
that of pomps and professions, priests and parades.
The "Sernana Santa " has been full of hOlydays.
''Santo Viernes," "Sabado de Gloria" Domingo
de Pamas," and string Of others Into this one
week has been crowded the whole history of 1900
years ago. The Saviour has been crucifed afresh,
Judas has boon hung and his bones ground finer than
bolted hour-GolgOtha, Gethsemane, have been
brought actually before our eyes, red with the rust
of ages. We have seen the keys of St. Peter, and
had the Apostles martyred the second time, with
the thousand other ceremOnias peculiar to Catholic
countries during the season of Lent. The gloomy
quiet OF day and night, has been interrupted only
by the performance of boys of every class, on
that musical instrument the watchnlan's rattle,
which OF every size from a whistle to
wind mill are IN the hands OF saints sod a
grinding the bones of Judas, and accompanied with
kissing and holloing and such rumpus and roting.
that sympathise with and congratulate the departed
object Of these hOnors, that he Is not in the land of
the living. AS II is, fear that their hideous noise
not only disurbs those alive but will awake the
rebuked betrayer Judas: On the "Sabado de Clio
ria" was attracted by the ringing of bells TO the Ca
thedra, around which were planted. with much taste
and beauty, lnnumerabe palm trees. arrived near
the conclusion of the mass-the church was full
officers in full uniform, with ornamental stars and
badges-the blooming beauty and the sober matron
were kneeng around the chancel, and solemnity
and silence reposed upon that crowded audience,
save when music stole along the galleries and the
vauted ceiling, and melted and mingled with the
mr.
hushed mutterlngs of the priests at mass At the
threshold were assembled host of boys and girls,
and crowds were gathered around the church, each
with his bowl and bunch Of flowers. Soon the So
lemn mass ceremonial was concluded, and forthwith
rushed the crowd to corner OF the church, fenced
around, in which stood an immense vase of holy
water. Every man, woman, and child aimed for
the enclosure every one had tongue, and each
tongue talked, jabbered, and Kaleidoscope climbed
the fence, each with species of vessel, cup,
saucer, BOWL pitcher, bottle basin calabash, teapot,
coffeepot,t tin cup-to the end OF the st-some came
10 ill the cOnsecrated vase, and others begging and
halloing to those inside to fill thers-bOys of all
sizes and colors, women, old and young, shod and
barefooted, Indians, negroes, and Mesticoes, all
were there and all noisy. Those who were the
fence passing water cups and flowers from the inside,
would occasionally cool the ardor of some of the
impatient on the outside. It was wonderful what
rush there was-eageInessa and anxiety were pictured
on every face, and In every eye, from the halfgrow
boy to the gray-hared father; and obtaining his
bowl OF water and flowers, each would joyfully
!
clustering scene took place in the church until the
holy vase was refilled and empted many times.
Many scenes and exhibitions OF this nature have
taken place during the week, an accurate descrip-
| ton Of which must be deferred, with many other
matters, for other letters.
APRIL 23d.
To-day everything appears beautiful; the heavens
are clOudless the sun beams forth mildly the winds
blow softly and pleasantly, the waves toss their
milk white crests, and the vessels ride quietly in
the harbor. No ightnings flash across the skies,
no deep thunder rolls, everything betokens quiet
and peace for the world, perhaps thousand years
more. IL this be the last day." it certainly
as "thief in the night" for brighter or more
beautiful day could end the life OF time than this
23d day of April. At night, the stars look down
from their lofty home in the heavens full glorious
number; bright asever shines Aldebaran, and hand
| in hand. still linked in brotherly union, do Castor
and POlIux" keep aoOdy company, whilst bright
Antares has not left the heavens. Jupiter Saturn
| and Hersche are still in delightful harmony, full
| filling their destined course. " Luna" is looking
| out from some banks of cloud, and hope will con-
tinue to gild the ocean with her borrowed rays, and
shed her radiance upon tower and tree or what vii:
become Of lovesick SWANS without moon. Old
| ocean is in brave commotoD, the winds and waves
| are high, but not intemperately so.
The schoomaster and missionary have not yet
finished their labors, and Gods first grand design
in creating this world oil beauty, and placing upon
| it intelligent creatures must be fulfilled before Mil
Ter becomes triumphant, or the moon turns to blood
Hoping that the wreck OF matter and the crush of
| worlds" may not be in our day, remain, &c.
Superior Court.
| Before full Bench.
| MAY 27.-DxcrsIoNs-Charies p. Crawford va Edoin
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