Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1847-06-08

covered Win teIracess ana Two ana three
story high, are remarkably fine. The
public place would be admired in almost
any part of the world-it is q perfect
square, facing it stands the cathedral; on
three other sides are magnificent palaces.
There are many other edifces strikingly
admired for their beauty. There are few
churches in the world more magnificently
ornamented than the cathedral of this
city. All the chandeliers and lamps,
which are in great numbers, are of mas
sive gold or silver the dome is in mar
bic of the country ofgreat beauty and fine
workmanship. There are ten chapels,
richly decorated, and closed each of them
with an iron gate door ofvery great height,
and of the finest finish.
This church was finished in 1903, and
is said to have cost $6,O00,000. There
are also many other very fine churches.
The Almeida, or public walk is very well
kept. II is composed of three alleys (of
500 to 600 feet each) ofpoplars and other
fine trees, and is surrounded by wall, at
the foot of which runs fine little stream
Of water. There are good many foun.
tains in different parts OF the city, and a
few jets d'eau, Of water spouts. Few cities
in Europe are finer than Puebla; but
much cannot be said for the population,
which, since the late expulsion of the Eu-
ropeau Spaniards, who we're by far the
most intelligent and Industrious portion of
it, leaves curious contrast between the
present occupants of public and private
edifices indicating the highest state of ciz-
ilization. The same may be said of the
whole population bordering the road from
Vera Cruz to the city. Time will no doubt
correct this.
CoRDovA.
A small walled and garrisoned town,
through which the road passes. Beyond
Puebla the road is good till it reaches the
mountain of Cordova, about midway be-
tween the former and the city Of Mexico,
where the ascent is very rugged and steep
though without defles. Near the road at
the foot of this mountaion, passes the Rio
Frio, or Cold River, which has its rise in
the neighboFing mountain of Popecatapetl,
1900 feet above the level of the sea. A
work on some of heights of Popocatapetl
would command the road. After leaving
the mountain of Cordoya, the road is good
and unobstructed, with plenty of water to
the city of Mexico. For several miles
before reaching that city the road is de-
lightful, passing between parallel canals
and rows of Lombardy poplars' This
point is to be occupied by General Worth,
for the purpose of guarding the southern
road from Puebla.
THE LAKE OF TBzUCCo.
This lake commences On the right of
the road, near the city, into which its
waters are carried by canal, the latter
serving also to drain the cutters, &c. into
the lake. The so.caIled lake is large,
long, and very irregularly shaped basin,
shallow, and containing numerous small
islands, and covered by myriads of wild
ducks. The depth of water varies with
the season in the rainy months the ba-
sin is filled, and then it assumes the ap-
pearanee of large lake. Being the re-
ceptacie Of all the drainage from the city,
it is very filthy. Tie canal from the city
passes throug ID it, fed by its waters. five
or six miles in southeast direction to the
small fort of Chalco, at the extreme mar
gin Of the basin in that direction. The
canal is used for transporting produce
into the city, and tor pleasure excursions
in gondolas, &c.
CITY OF MEXICO.
Like all other Mexican cities, this has
walls and houses of stone, with flat roofs,
&c. 1t is well paved gutter four feet
wide passes through the centre of each
street, covered by broad flag stones, re.
movable at pleasure. All the cutters are
drained into the canal or lake. The city
has many large and strong churches and
other great buildings, easily converted
into fortresses. fits walls were repaired,
mounted with cannon, and well garrisoned,
it could make a formidable resistance to.
besiegers. During the festival days, which
are very numerous, the haciendas for 20
or 80 miles around send into the city not
less than 10000 mounted peasantry ofthe
better class, most expert horsemen. They
are courageous, and skillful in the use Of
the lance, lasso and machete, which is a
large and heavy knife. Nothing more
would be necessary than for the padres
to 90 forth into the streets OF the principal
cities, particularly Puebla and Mexico,
elevate their crosses, and appeal to the
bigotry of the population, to rally an i'm
mense force of bold, active and desperate
men, who would make fierce resistance
to an invasion. And if invaders should
force their way in, assassinations, BY the
hands of so many expert murderers, wo'd
soon make fearful inroads on their num-
bers.