Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-02-10
FROM LIFE IN MEXICO.
nv MADAME c.----nn LA n.
\ VISIT TO SANTA ANNA, IN 1888

|
broken in and we seemed TO have been ranspor-
ted, as il by enchanment, from deserl 10 II gar
dem Ii was altogether picturesque aud striking
scene the nuts composed Of bamboo, and thalch-
ed with palm leaves; the Indian women, with
their half naked children the mules, rolling them
selves on the ground, according to their favorite
fashion; snow-whte goats, browsing among the
pam-rees, and the air soft and bamy, the first
breath of The morning the DEVELOPS still gilt
tering the broad leaves of the banana and palm,
and all around silent, cool, and still,
The hus, though poor, were clean; no windows
but u certain subdued light made its way through
the lealy canes. We procured some tumblers of
new milk; and having procured mules, pursued
our Journey, now no longer through hills o! saud |
but across the country through a wilderness OF
trees aud flowers, the glowing production of the
lerru cdiiente. We arrived about O'Clock at
Mango de Clavo after passing through leagues OF
natural garden the property Of Santa Anna.
The house is pretty slight looking, aud Kept in
nice order. We were received by an aid de. camp
in dnornl and by several officers, aud conducted
TO large, cool, agreeable apartment, with litLe
furniture, into which shortly entered the Sonora |
de Santa Anna, tall, thin, and at Tint early hour
Of the morning, dressed To receive Us in cienr |
white muslin, with white satin shoes, and with /
very splendid diamond earrings, brooch aud |
rings. She was very polite. and introduced her |
daughter, Guadalupe, miniature oil her mamma,
in features and costume.
In n little while, entered General Santa Anna
himself; n gentlomunly, good looking, quietly
dressed, rather melancholy looking person, Knh
one leg, apparently sOmewha: of an invalid and
TO us the most interesting person in the group
lie has n sallow complexion, fine, dark eyes--soft
and penetraling-with an Interesting expression
Of face. Knowing nothing of his past history,
one would have said he was u philosopher, living
in dgnhed retlrement one who had tried the
world, and found that all was vanity; one who
had suffered ineraude; and who, if he were
ever persuaded TO emerge from his reu eat, would
only do so, Cincnnalus-like, to benefit his coun-
try. 1t is strange how frequently this expression
OF philosophc resignation, OF placid sadness, is
to be remarked oil The countenances Of the deep
est, most ambitious, and most designing of men,
C---n gave him letter from the Queen, Tot
Spain, written the supposition of his beng
still President with which he seemed well pleased,
but merely made the innocent observation, How
very well ihs Queen writes !"
| 1t was only now aud then that the expression
of his eye was startling, especially when lie spoke
| of his leg, which is cut of below the knee. He
! speaks of it frequently like Sir John Ranorny of
| his bloody hand and when he gives an account
| of his wound, and alludes TO the French that
day, his countenance assumes that air Of bitter
( ness which Ramorny's may have exhibited when
speaking OF "Harry the Smith"
| Otherwise, he made himself very agreeable,
| spoke good deal OF the United States, aud of
the persons he had known there and in his niau-
ners, was quiet and genllemanlike, and altogether
| more polished hero Than expected to 70
! judge from the past he will not long remain ia his
present state OF inacllon; besides having within
him, according TO Zavaa, ga principle OF action
forever impeing him forward
/ In attendant, breakfast vas announced. The
Sonora dc Santa AhUn led mo in. C---n was
placed the head of the liable, on his right, san
Ia Anna opposite, the Sonora on my right The
breakfast was very handsome consisting of in
Vulnerable Spanish dshes-meals and vegetables
|, fish nil n
white and gold French porcelain with coffee,
Wines sc. After breakfast Sonora having de-
spached an officer for her cigar-case, which was
g, Id, with diamond latch, offered me a cigar,
which having declined, she lighted her own,
little paper "cgarilo, and the gentlemen follow
ed her good example.
= We then proceeded to look at the out houses
and Offices at tho generals fayorile war-horse
an old, white charger, probably sncerer philos
(; opher than his master; at several game cocks
r kept with special care, cock fighting being ia
vorite recreation OF Santa Anna and at hls H.
! era, which is handsome and comfortable. There
no gardens bur, MS he observed, the Who'll,
q country, which for twelve Leagues square, belong,
e to him, is "A garden The appearance Of The lam.
), lily says little for tho heathuess Of the locale and
y indeed its beauty and fertility will not compen
$ safe for its insalubrty.
C Two years afterwards, Santa Anna appears n
# the head of the government, surrounded by POM
J.. more regal than republican,.
1t The following passage details what the nulho
. justly calls strange scene." She had just VIII
o messed the discipline OF The female penenls -
If which seems 10 have been comparatively mild
end was then privately introduced into the churcl
n OF ST. Augusn, 10 see the
e DISCIPLINE OF THE MALE PENITENTs.
l. When 1t was dark, enyeoped from head TO iou
d in large cloak we went 10 tho church Of 81
d, hugustln. When we arrived, n snail sido-doo
ID apparently opened of Itself and we entered pas
4
ef winding stairs, until we found ourselves in sma
h rallied gallery, looking down directly upon th
& church. The scene was curious. About on
a hundred and fifty men, enveoped in coaks an
serapes their faces entirely concsaled, were us
ID sembed in the body of The church. A monk ha
IN just mounted the pulpit, and The church was din
ly ly lighted, except where he STOOL in bold relic
On with his grey robe and cowl thrown back, giyn
lg full view OF his high, bold forehead aud e4pre
TO siye face.
r. His discourse was very iorcibe and eIoquel
Ie description of tho tormenls prepared in hell lC
I'd impenient sinners. The effect of the whole WI
cd very solemn. 1t appeared like II preparation f
re the execution Of multitude of condemned erin
TO lnals. When the discourse was finished, they
~ joined in prayer, with much fervor and enthus
OF asm, beating their breasts, and falling upon the
he faces. Then the monk stood up, and in vel
IN distinct voice, read several passages Of scrip,u
u descriptive OF the sufferIngs Of Christ. The o.
* gan Then struck up the .Miseyere, and of sudd,
es; the church was plunged in profound darkness
ot- hut sculp,ured representation Of the crucfx 10
ne. which seemed TO hang in the air illuminated.
all felt rather frightened, and Won d have been gi
p- TO leave The church, but il would have been in
es, possible, in the darkness. Suddenly, lerril
IS voice in the dark cried "Aly brothers, win
es- Christ was fastened 10 The pillar by tho Jews,
ety was Scourged. Al these words the bright 6gi
he disappeared, aud the darkness beca,ne total.
an Suddenly we heard Tie sound OF scourges d
in ascending upon the bare flesh | cannot concei
led anything more horrible. Before ten minutes h
ds, passed, the sound became sp'ushing, from /
en blood thai wus flowing
vas have heard OF these penIences in INN
of churches and also lhnl hnlf Of those who
r. there do not really scourge themselves; hut he
red where there is such perfect CONSIGNMENT. the
his seems M n,otiva fnr Lacantion Inc,..,tI' -,