Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-06-04
THE CITY OF MEXICO.

THE CITY OF MEXICO.
The following description of the city OF
Mexico, which we find in the Washington
correspondence of the Boston Post, will, we
think, be interesting to most of our readers.
They will be pleased to find that Mexico is
so fine place, inasmuch as it is now, or will
soon be, in the possession of our gallant
troops -
That will be q curious spectacle, however, to
see city with population of 5000, surren-
dering at will to an army of distant republic,
numbering not over six or eight thousand Very
few of our people have an adequate idea of the ex-
tent and magni6cence of the Mexican capital
The city of Mexico stands nearly in the centre Of
an elevated plain or plateau, surrounded by noun
tains and having an area of about 100 square
miles, one-tenth covered by lakes. 1t is undoubt-
edly one of the finest cities IN either hemisphere,
and inferior only 10 Petersburg, Berlin. London,
and Philadelphia. respects the regularity and
breadth of the streets, and the extent of its public
places. The streets wide, we'll paved, and
tagged, but not well lighted watched at night.
They run almost uniformly at right angles, many
of them being nearly two miles in length. perfect.
ly level and straight, and offering from every view
the most picturesque scenery. The houses are
nearly all hollow squares, with open courts sur.
rounded by coonnades ard ornamented with
plants. Numbers of the houses are covered with
glass porcelain, in variety of elegant designs and
patterns. The balustrades and gates are of Bis
cay iron, ornamented with brass.
The Plaza Mayor, or grand square, is one of
the finest seen in any metropolis, having in its
centre colossal statue of Charles w. said to be
the finest work of the kind in the new world. Its
east side is occupied by the cathedral and segra-
rio or parish church, and its north side by the
palace, whilst on the other sides are handsome
rows of shops and private dwellings. In this
square is also the parian, large ungainly pile,
used as a market or bazaar and general rendez-
vous for the dissolute. The palace, or govern
ment house, fine building, nearly square, with
front several hundred feet in extent, comprises
four large courts, in which are the public Offices,
barracks, prison, the mint, and large botanic
garden.
The Cathedral is heterogeneous edfce, part
y of gothic and partly Of Italian architecture,
rected on the site of the great temple of the god
Mexitli, its two towers ornamented with pilasters
and statues. The interior is said to be lofty and
magnificent being graced with a profusion of
massive carved ornaments, pictures, and golden
statues.
Besides the cathedral, there are from fifty 10
sixty other houses of worship, among which the
Franciscan and Dominican converts are enor.
mousy wealthy. Opposite to the latter is the
palace Of the irquisition; now applied, however,
to different ends.
The Minerva, or college of engineers--the
academy Of fine arts-the university and public
library, were once elegant institutions, but are
now in state of woful dilapidation; presenting q
| miniature nicfnra of the renuhIic itself
The Acordada, or public prison, is large SUBJ
stantial structure, fitted to contain about 1900
prisoners.
The Plaza de Toros, for the exhibition of bull
fights, consists of great circular enclosure, fitted
to accommodate 5000 spectators.
The Alameda, or public walk, at the west end
of the city, somewhat resembles park but has
the stiff formal appearance of Dutch and French
grounds. In the centre is fountain, supplied
with water from the great aqCeduct leading from
Santa Fe TO the city.
The PGssto is an open space, about two miles
in length, planted with double rows of trees much
frequented on holydays by persons in carriages
and OIL horseback.
The Portales are covered colonnades, lined with
shops and stalls, form favore evening prone
made, and present, on fine evenings, lively scene
of hustle and gaiety.
great cigar mandatory, carried on under the au.
spices OF government, from which the whole de-
mand of the smoking gentry is supplied
The Theatre is q respectable building, but SO
poorly patronised, that it has for some years been
seldom opened.
Such is an outline of the Mexican capital
which is, without doubt, at this moment under
the dominion of the stars and stripes. How beau.
tiful the progress of free and liberal institutions
Who can doubt, that in the all-wise economy Of
Providence. it has been reserved for our ultimate
good fortune to carry among that distant and be-
sotted and oppressed people the elements Of civil
cation and refinement! Blind must that mind be
to passing events which is closed to the interest
ing truth, that out of this war will spring an in
exhaustible fund of good, even to Mexico. Tn.
sword may be to them messenger of mercy. ir
disguise, as the tempest and the whirlwind otter
are in the physical. and disaster and distress il
the moral world. The ways of heaven, who ca.
fathom O. P. Z.