Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1847-11-19
NGfzGfII EMR 1QaS.
The VALLEY OF MEXICO.

the remarkable purity OF the atmosphere
in the valley of Mexico, and the peculiar
rich tints with which the light, passing
through this thin medium. invests every
object; presenting 10 the eye one OF the
most glowing and delicious views that ever
met the admiiing gaze of man. There
probably is no city in the world which
presents such natural charms around il
as that Of Mexico, and we can easily con-
ceive of the deligh; which they impart
when they first break upon the vision of
the beholder. Invading armies have mo-
mentarily paused ct the sight, impressed
by the splendor ofthe view, and the hearts
of the grim warriors have felt their pur-
poses relaxing, as they gazed upon the en-
chanting scene, which even the decay of
prive Of its mstchless beauties. Prescott
pictures the proud conqueror, Cortez, -
standing on commanding height, above
the luxurious home Of Montezuma. the
scene of harbaric splendor, ard looking
with unspeekabls delight UPON the rich
prospect spread before him ii the valley
below, where the reno, st objects possess
ed brllliancy OF coloring and a SHARPNESS
of outline that seemed 10 1nnihi!ata dis
lance. The scene, though sadly changed
since then, and now exhibiting the marks
OF decay which time, neglect, and the
hand OF violence have impressed upon it,
possesses much OF the natural beauty
which then distinguished it. The same
hills, valleys, lakes, mountains. streams,
and towering cedars that greeted the in
toxlcated vision of the Spanish conqucroy.
and clothed the view with such charms.
met the eyes OF our own brave country
men, as they approached the Aztec Cap
ital. But The aspect Of the city itself IS
entirely changed, and would no, be re.
cognizcd at this day as The proud place
which once, by lis ma gniicence, astonish-
of one of the richest countries of the
Eastern continent. The Lake ofTezcuco,
which once entirely surrounded and ira
versed, with It's canals, the imperial CITY,
has receded several miles. Then it was
only approachable through narrow cause
ways built of solid masonry; the houses
themselves standing upon piles in the
water - now, the city stands upon the
main land, high and dry. Then villages
lined the shores of the lake, and floating
gardens dapced gently on the unduIatinns
oil the waves. More than oriental s. ! IL E,
dor was every where visible the ruins of
which are still to be traced By the curious
traveller. The aspect of the CITY is now
Spanish; Christian caIhedral rears its
front where the horrid tearoii once raised
its Internal affairs, red with the blood of
human victims, devoted alive 20 the sac.
TificIal knife by the barbarous religion ot
the country, to propitate the deiiics that
were supposed - preside over the desti.
MES of Mexico. These charges were &c
tected by the people whose descendants
seem devoted u the same fate than await
ed the ancient meAicans at the hands Ct
the Spaniards. Three hundred wears Of
rule. IN American hands, would present
probably as broad contrast. but how DIFF
ferent In its character from that the SDao.
iarts created The country would be i'm
proved IN every respect under the douin.
alton of the indelaIiEable Yankee. VINO
never puts hand to anything SUSCEPTIBLE
OF improvement without altering lis char.
acter for the better; It's rich resources
would be developed and applied to the re.
lief OF human wants and the increase ri
human comforts. 4 population, increased
manifold in numbers would be spr, q ov,r
the country, and a race of enl;rSi2reF
independent people would add their up5i.
S'oed strength to the perpetuat;7n of Tree
anu republican principles IN their purity