Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1843-04-28
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF TIE CITY
OF MEXICO.

the government TO wclcoms the bearer
OF the olive branch f:om ancient Spain.
and had been on horse back since the
day before, expecting our arrival. As
II had began to rain, the officer accepted
our offer of taking shelter in the dill.
gcnce. We had now great troop GAL
loping along with US, aud had no: gone
/ Tar before we perceived that, in spite of
The rain, and that it had already began
TO grow dusk, there were innur,erable
carriages and horsetnen, forming an I'm
mense crowd all coming out TO we'cJme
US. Shortly after the dIlhgcnce was
stopped, aud we were requested 10 get
into very splendid carriage, all GRIM.
son and gold, on the roof IN the inside,
and drawn by four handsome white hor.
ses. In the midst of this i'm ueIsa pro.
cesslon of troops, carriages, aud horse.
men, we made our entry into the civ of
| Moniczuma. TIE scenery on this side
OF Mex co is arid and fiat, and where
the waters Of the Lagunas GOV cred with
;helr gay canoes, once surrounded the
CITY, forming canals through its streets,
we now see melancholy marshy lands.
| little enivened by great flights Of wild
ducks and water fowl But the bleak.
ness-of the natural scenery was conceal
ed by the gay appearance OF tho pro-
ccsslon; the scarlet and gold uniforms.
me bright CO ored sarupes, the dresses
ol the gentlemen, (mosl | believed Span
iards) with their handsome horses, high
Mexican saddles, gold embroidered an
queras, generally of black fur, thcir
Mexican hats ornamented with gold
richly furred jackets, panialoons, with
hanging silver buttons, stamped leather
boots, silver stirrups and graceful man
gas, with back or colorcd vel, ct cans
Al The gates of Mexico the troops halted,
and three enthusiastic caeers were OF
ven as the Carriages entered IT was
now nearly dusk, and the rain was fall
ling in torrents, yet we met more car.
rIageS full of ladies and gentlemen
which joined the others. We found
that house in the suburbs nj BucnayIs.
Ia, had been taken for provisoirement
by the kindness Of the Spaniard, espe.
c'alIy OF rich merchant who accompa
med US in the carriage, Don NJ
~ del Go; consequently
we passed all through Mexico before
reaching our destination, always in the
midst Of the crowd ,on account Of which.
and the i.l.Paved streets we went very
slowly. Through the ram and the dark
ness we got an occasional faint lamp
Iig ut glimpse of high bui dings, church
eS, and converts Arrived, at length in
the MIDST Of torrents OF rain, C--n
got out Of the carriage. and return cd
his thanks for his reception, giving
some ounces to the SERGEANT for the sol
dlerS. We then entered the house, &c.
comPanied by the Mexican officer and
by large party of Spaniards. -
10y day light we find our house very
; pretty with Il large garden adjoining,
full OF flowers and rose. bushes in tho
court yard, but, being all on the ground
hoor, II is somewhat damp, and the w ea
| thcr, though beautiful, is so cool in the
, morning, and sometimes think even a
'souPcon' of fire would not be amiss.-
I The former we shall soon procure, bu
there are neither chimneys nor CRATES
and have no doubt a ire would be dis
agreeable for more than an hour or 50
, IN the morning. The house stands a.
. lone, with large court before it and Oh
PosIto to 1t passes the great stone acuue
4 duct, magnificent work Of the Span
> Iards, though not more so probably thar
r those which supplied the ancient Ten
p ochtltlan with water. Behind we see
nothing but several old houses, with
= trees so that we seem almost in the coun
try. To the right is one large buildinp
with garden and olive ground. where
e The English legation formerly lived, a
palace ~ SIZE since occupied by Santa
/ Ana, aud which now belongs 10 Senor
2 Perez Galyez; house which we shall
be glad TO have If the proprietor will
, consent 10 let It But what most attracts
I our attention, are the curious and pic
e lurssque groups Of figures which we see
+. from the windows. men, bron ne colour,
- with nothing but a piece If blanket
thrown round them, carrying lightly on
their heads eadhern basins, precisely
S the color Of their own skin so that they
]. look altogether like figures ofterrucotta
J.. these basins filled with sweatne or
T. white pyramids Of grease (mantequilla
s women with robosos, short petticoats o.
c two colours, generally all in rags, We
e with lace border appecran on thoir
r under garment; no stockings, and dirty
b white satin shoes, her shorter thar
VI their small brown feet, gentlemen on
!. horseback, with their Mexican saddle,
e and a raPes; Iounging 'lsperos,' moving
= bundles Of rugs, coming to the windows
; land begging With a most pileous but