Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1847-09-08

90 " ldl uic HtoSl graphic, original, ana
edlfying description Of the city of Mexico
we have read any where, we copy the fol.
lowing from Brantz Meyers fine book on
"Mexico as it was and as it is" Long as
it is, it will be found singularly well writ
ten. Our soldiers are now, beyond doubt
quartered in one of the loveiest cities in the
world Albany Atlas.
1t was the middle Of November, but there
was a May mildness in the atmospheric
The sky was of that deep ultra-marine blue
peculiar to elevated regions. AS | ranged
my eye down the street from my balcony.
the town was alive with a teeming popula-
ton; the windows of the house stood open:
fair women stroled homeward from mass;
old monks shuGlcd along IN their cowled
robes; the butcher urged along his ass with
its peripatctic stall hung around with vari-
Gus meats; freshIy-leaved flowers and trees
in the court-yards, Of which | caught Gimp
SEES through the open portals; and in the
balconies louuged the early risers, enjoying
cigar after their cup Of chocolate. TWAS
a lively and beautiful scene, worthy OF the
pencil of that mastcr-painter Of cities, Can
nalctti, who would have delighted in the
remarkable transparency and purity of the
atmosphere through which the distant hills,
some twenty miles off, seemed but a barrier
at the end OF the street!
The plan Of the city of Mexico is precise
" that Of a chcquer-board, and with a
greater variety of squares. Straight streets
cross each other at right angles, and at reg-
uar intervals. The houses are painted
with gay coIors-light blue, lawn, and
green mtcrspcrsed with pure white, that
remains long unslained in the dry atmos-
phcrc.
The view Of all these from the elevated
tower of the cathedral, Ito which soon re-
paired after nv arrival in the capital pre-
scnts a mass Of domea, stecples, and fiat
rooted dwellings, frequently covered like
hanging gardens, with flowers and foliage.
Beyond the gates (Which you would scarce
think bounded population of 200,000,)
the vast plain stretches out on every side to
the mountains, lravcrsed in some places by
long lines Of aqueducts sweeping 10 the city
from the hills, and in others with lakes, cul-
tIya0ou, and beautiful groves, until the dis
tanj view is closed by the volcanoes, whose
snoW~ rest against the blue sky, uncovered
ri this season by single cloud.
Below is The great square of the Plaza
large paved area, irontcd on the north By
the cathedral: ON the east bv the National
Palace. .thc residence Of the Presidcnt:) to
the south orwhirh. aoaio. are the museum,
and stone cditicr recently built in taste
fu stvlc for market. The CONVERSIONS of
this was laid after arrived in Mexico. and
before lett the building was nearly com
pccd. l'all that time. the fruits. flowers,
and vegetables. aud most of the nccessarics
of the table. had been sold ON that spot in
,ham5lcs and booths built Of bambooa and
reeds, sheltered from the rain and sun by
tha'chcd roofs
In The southwestern corner Of the square,
the P1riad. nm uusIrh,}y building, Icractcd.
/ believe. since. the rcvomtion) greatly
mar, lhc rtT.r,or the Plaza. It is useful
establishment. however. as it affords large
revenue To the municipality, and is the
great bazaar where every artjcl, re4uislt'
for thr dress of NcXicdns, male ur female,
NAV be- purchaspd at reasonable prices. On
IN" pavement which runs rIjhJ II, Slt