The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-12-22

This famous Capital, at the mercy of Gen.
Scott, is thus described i'll Murray.s Ency-
c.opcdia of Geography:
The State Of Mexico comprises the Val.
ley of Mexico, a fine and splendid r!gion,
variegatcd by extensive lakes, and sorroun-
dcd by some Of the lotticst volcanic peaks
of the world Its circumference is about
200 miles, and it forms the very centre OF
the table land Anahuac, elevated from 5000
10 5000 feet above the level ofthe sea. In
the centre OF this valley stands the city OF
Mexico or Tcnochli,lan having been built
in the mid,iIc Of the lake, and connected
with tie con:iAcnt by extensive causcways
or dykes. 10 new Mexico is three miles
from the lake Of TcZcuca, and nearly six
from that Of Chaco; yet Humboldt consi-
sdcrs it certain, from the remains of the an
cient teocali or temples, that it occupies the
identical position of the former city, that
great part OF the waters Of the valley have
been dried up. Mexico was long consider
ed the greatest city of America, but it is
now surpassed Ly New York, perhaps even
by Rio Janc1io. Some estimates have rails
cd its population to 100000 but, it may, on
good grounds, be fixed at 10000 to l4O,-
600.
II is beyond dispute the most splendid.
"Mezico is undoubtedly one of the finest.
cities built by Europeans i'll either hemls
phere with the exception Of St. rctcrburgh
Berlin, London, and Philadelphia and some
quarters OF We>tmiistcr, there does not cx-
ist field of the same extent which can be
compared to the capital Of New Spain, io-
the uniform level Of the ground on which
it stands, for the regularity and breadth Of
the streets, and the extent of the squares
and public places The architecture is gc-
ncrally ofpurc style: and there are even Cd
iices of very beautiful structure"
The palace of the late viceroys, the cathc-
dral, built in what is termed the Gothic
style, several of the converts, and some pri-
vate palaces, reared upon plans furnished
by the pupils of the Academy Of Fine Arts
are of great extent and magniiiccncc yet,
upon the whole, it is rather the arrange
ment, regularity, and general effect Of the
city, which render it SO striking. Nothing
in particular, can be more enchanting than
the view of the city and valley from the sur
rounding heights. The eye sweeps over
vast extent ofcultivated fields, to the very base
of the COLOSSAL mountains covered with
perpetual snow. The city appears as if
washed by the waters Of the lake ofTezcu-
co, which surrounded by villages and ham
lets, resemble 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 Popocatepet and the noun
tain Of Izaccihutl, of which the first an en-
ormous cone, burns occasionally, throwing
up smoke and ashes, in the midst Of eternal
SHOWS. The police OF the city is excellant;
most of,the streets are handsomely paved,
lighted and; :cleansed. The annual con.
sumption in Mexico has been computed at
$1,000 beeves, 27o, 900 sheeep. $4,000 hogs
100000 fowls, including ducks and tur-
keys, 205, 900 pigeons and partrdges The
srs3E, en> "a.