The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-08-28
Aetter from the Army Of Occupation.
MArAMoRAs, August 4, 1886
Matlmoras as IL is.


Ten thousand lies have already been told of
this city of the famed Rio Grande, and as many
elaborate descriptions given, and each one con-
uadlctng the other in the whole or in part. One
has lauded the exceeding beauty of its structure
the magnifcence OF its buildngs-the gothic ar
chitecture-bold and projecting fronts-the dark
and solemn cathedral-extensive walls and forti-
locations; and as matter of course he has very
enthusiastically spoken of the fine clear eyes, fair
fresh complexion, curls glossy, and of raven
blackness, falling upon neck OF perfect beauty,
the ivory teeth, fautess symmetry, and extreme
modesty and loneliness of the "nuger Mericana
Another utterly detests the whole city, and every
body that originally belonged to it. Well. this is
very natural, for they have looked through differ
ent eyes at the same object. Humanity had
only one pair of eyes. there would be none of this
terrible confusion and horrd jnrgon and collision
as regards description. But as we all have ewes
of our own, It behoves US to be particular, as we
wish to give correct information, not to be preju-
diced for or against the OBJECT we wish to describe
Where one sees nothing but the most enticinp
beauty, the other nothing but the most revolving
deiormIty; he sees few mud plastered houses,
with matched roofs, rudely thrown together, form.
ing close, irregular, and unwholesome streets,
filled with motley population of poor, mise
rable beggars, monks and beguins, interspersed
with American soldiers. The different writers
have no mediation always extol too highly, or
sink beneath the dignity OF The object they intend
TO describe. One reading the different letters
from MaIamoras, would think it The most charm
ing place which ever had a name and vet the
dlrtiesf, lowest, detestable. If you will take a
medium between the two, you Will have a very
good idea of what the city actually is. 1t is not
the most splendid and picturesque spot amid the
brilliant cities of the world neither is its effect
upon the stranger the most repelling. There are
many very good buildings, principally situated
on the main streets; and many RECONSTRUCTED
and poorly ranches, generally in the precincts
of the city. The public buildings are fine and
ordinary The cathedral, which was commenced
nearly twenty years ago, remains unfinished, am
fast falling into u dark, mysterious pile of ruin
The buildings are gener rally one story and halt
high, square fronts, and fiat roofs, forming very
we'll regulated blocks, presenting at d stance the
appearance OF the walls of extensive forts 1t is
decidedly unjust to pretend to form a correct idea
of the inhabitants OF the place the greater part
of the wealthy and genteel have Iclt The city, and
none but the poorer remain the poor of
Mexico are poor, indeed-igno eaIous, and
desperately fond of vulgar anu ar.lts or their
national fandangoes. On the other nd, the
rich are rich; living in the Creates ease, proud
and tyrannical Some of them are very well
educated, but generally ignorant. But l must say
that the people are quite hospitable, perhaps
fom compulsion at this present time. l shall
learn more Of them as we proceed into the inte-
rior. Yours, A. d.