Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1847-10-15

finest cities built by Europeans in eitheI
hemisphere with the exceptions of St
Petersburg, Berlin, and Philadelphia, anc
some quarters of Westminster. there does
not exist city of the same extent which
can be compared TO the capital of New
Spain, for the uniform level of the ground
on which it stands, for the regularity and
breadth of the streets, and the extent OF
the squaressand public places. The archi-
lecture is, generally, of very pure style,
and there are many edifces of a very
beautiful structure.
The government and private palaces,
cathedral, some OF the converts, and other
edifces, are extensive and magnificent,
and produce, by their granduer and archi-
tectural beauty and regularity, an effect
that is at once imposing and remarkable.
The view of the city and valley from
the surrounding heights, is described By
travellers as Of the most enchanting char
acter. One who had az eve for such a
scene thus describes it -
"Ihe eye sweeps over a vast extent of
cultivated fields, to the very base of the
colossal mountains, covered with perpet-
ual snow. The city appears as if washed
by the waters Of the Lake of Tezcuco,
which surrounded by villages and ham,
lets, resembles the most beautiful of the
Swiss lakes, and the rich cultivation Of
the vicinity forms a striking contrast with
the naked mountains. Among these rise
the famous volcano Popocatepel and the
mountaits of Iztaccihuati, of which the
first, an enormous cone, burns occasion
ally, throwing up smoke and ashes, in the
midst of eternal SHOWS"
The streets of the city are handsomely
paved, lighted and cleansed, and the po-
lice are thoroughly organized, and, in
time of peace, are very efficient.
They are pretty large eaters, those
Mcxicans. They consume annually l6,-
500 bceves, $4,000 sheep. $4,000 swine,
100000 fowls and 205,0OO pigeons and
partridges.
The following Interesting information
is compiled from modern geography -
The markets are remarkably well sup
piled with animal and vegetable produc-
tons, brought by crowds Of canoes along
the Lake of Chalco, and the canal leading
to it. These canoes are often guided by
females. who at the same time arc weav-
ing cotton in their simple portable looms
or plucling fowls, and throwing the feath-
ers into the water. Most Of their flowers
and roots have been raised IN cdinampaS,
or floating gardens, an invention pccu';;2r
to the new world. They consist Of RATS
formed Of reeds, roots and bushes, covered
with black saline mould, which being II
rigated by the water Of the lake, becomes
exceeding fertile. 1t is a great disadvan-
tage, however, to Mexico, that It stands
nearly on a level with the surrounding
lake which, in seasons of heavy rain,
oyerwhelms it with destructive inunda-
tons. Ihe construction Of a t}GS&agGe, or
canal, to carry off the waters of the lake
of Zumpango, and of the principal river
by which it is fed, has since 1929, pre-
vented any very desoIating flood. The
desague, though not conducted with skill
and judgement, cost 100000 and is one
of the most stupenduous hydraulic works
ever executed. Were it filled with water,
the largest vessels Of war might pass by
it through the range of mountains which
bound the plain of Mexico. The alarms
however, have been frequent, and cannot
well cease, while the level of that lake Is
twenty feet above that of the great square
of Mexico.-Buf. Express,