The Arkansas banner., 1847-10-18
The f.itr of Mexico.

Th,s famous capital, now at the mercy of Gen. Scott. is 'thus described in MnErays Encyeiopeda Geography pp. s23,4-ssfhe State of Mexico comprises |. Valley of Mexico, fne and spien- did region. vasegated by extensive lakes. and sur
 soanded by some of the loffiest volcanic peaks of the new world. It's circumference is about 1n0 miles, anh Il forms the very centre of the great tahle-land of Abs bauae elevated from 600 to 5000 feet above the level of the Ia The centre oihs valley stands the city of Mexico; the anclent Mexi
 co, fenochtitlan. having been buIli in the mid
 de of lake, and connected with the continent by extensise eaaseways or dykes. The new Mexico
 s three miles from the lake of Tezeuco and nearly
 six from that of Chalco; yet Humboldt considers u
 certain. from the remains Of the ancient ieocs, temples. that 1t occupies the identical positoh of the iosmef city and that great part of the waters of the valley have been dried up. Mexico was long considered the largest city of Ameriea: but h is now surpassed by New York, perhaps even by Rio Janeiro. Some estimates have raised It's popa
 ation to 200. 900; but it may, m gocd grounds. be kxed at from l2O, 900 to li0G0o. It is beyond dis pute the most splendid. Mexico is undoubtedly one of the finest cities built by Europeans in either hemisphere; with the exception of St PefenhnFgh. Berlin, and Philadelphia, and some quarters of Westminster, there does not exist city of the sane extent which can be compared to the capital of New Spain. for the uniform level of the gIoand on which tt stands fos the regularity and breadth of the streets and the extent of the squares and pub
 lie places. The architecture generally of very pure Atvle. ana lncre even edlnCe9 or very OPau- tiful structure. The palace of the late vieernys, the cathedral built in which is termed the Gothic style, several of the converts. and some private palaces reared upon plans furnished by tho pupils or the Academy o the Fine Arts are of great extent and rn2gnihcence; yet, upon the whole, it s rather the arrangement. regularity, and general effect oi the city, which reader u 60 striking. Nothing, in particular, be more enchanting than the view of The city and valley from the surrounding heights The eye sweeps over a vast extent of cultivated felds to the very base of the colossal fIountains
 covered with perpetual snow. The city appears as if washed by the waters of the lake Of Tezcueo, which surrounds by villages and hamiets resembles the most beautiful of the Swiss lakes. and the rich cultivation of the vicinity forms striking contrast with the naked mountains. Among these rise the famous volcano Porocatepctl and the mountain Of lztaccihuat, of which the first. an enormous cone
 barns occasionally, throwing up smoke and ashes, in the midst of eternal snows. The police of the city is excellent; most of the streets are handsome
 iy paved lighted, and cleansed. The annual con sumption iR Mexico has been eonmnted at I6 31O beeves; 900 sheep; 51 900 hogs; 600 000 fowls
 including ducks and turkeys; 205, ,0OO pigeons and Pa,ridges. The markets are remarkably welI sup piled with animal and vegetable productions, brought by canoes along the Lake of Chalco, and the canal leading to it- These canoes are often guided by females, who at the time weaving cotton in their simple portable looms, pluckiag fowls and throwing the feathers in the water Most of the flowers and roots have been raIsed in chaGm- pas or floating gardens invention peculiar to the new world, They consist of raits formed of reeds. roots, and bushes, and covered with black saline mould, which, being irrigated by the water of the lake, becomes exceedingly fertile. IL IS a great disadvantage 10 Mexico, however. that 1t stands nearly on level with the surrounding lake; which
 in seasons of heavy tain. oyerwhelms il with des- tTaeiive inundztions The construction of aesogns canal to carry od the waters of the Lake of Zum- Panso. and of the principal river by wheh II IS fed. h1a cir aA.A. flood. The desagse. though not conducted with skill and judgment, cost $ 0oO 0oo, and is one of the most stupendods hydraulic works ever execu- ted. Were it flied with water the largest ve sets ef war might pass by it through the range of
 alarms. however, have been frequent and cannot well cease, while Inc level of that lake is twenty feet above that oi the gEeat sanare of Mexico,