The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-07-23
WARRINGTON. July 20. lsl.

7he City Of Mezico.
Amid the dcarth OF local items here at headquarters
and while waiting with interest and anxiety the next
intelligence from the seat Of war, have thought
would not be unacceptable to your readers transco
md, compile from various authorities the following
sti factory and concise description OF the imperial
city Of the Aztecsn
Mexico (laheeko) celebrated city and capital Of
the Republic of Mexico, situated in the State of the
same name in great valley, 7ico feet above tho level
Of the sea- a52 miles west Of Vera Cruz and $40 T. Of
Acapulco the Pacific Ocean. From Washington
City U. s 1t is distant 1850 miles The present city
occupies only part of the site of the ancient
city OF Tenochtitlan which founded to
the traditions of the natives in 1891 or two centuries
before its conquest by Corez The location near the
Lake Te2cuco the waters Of which, with the other lakes
IN the vicinity have been on the decrease for several
centuries. Mexico Is undoubtedly" says Humboldt,
one Of the finest cities built by Europeans In
either hemisphere. With the exception of Petersburgh
Berlin Philadelphia, and Westminster, there does not
exist city OF the same extent which can be- compared
the capital Of New SPAIN for the uniform level
ground on which IL stands, for the regularity
and breadth OF the streets, and the extent of tn.
public places The architecture Is generally Of very
nestyle, and there edhces of very beautiful
structure Two sorts Of hewn stone give to the Mexcan
buildings air VI solidity and sometimes Of magnih
cence The balustrades and gates all Of Bscay iron
ornamented with bronze aud the houses instead of
roofs have terraces like those Of Italy and other South
ern countries
Many of the streets nearly two miles in length,
in view of the mountains that surround the valley
The houses are In general of uniform height, most
Of them having three stories, each from fifteen
to twenty feet. The fronts OF most of the houses
painted in different colors, viz white, crimson
brown light green and retain their beauty many
years owing TO the dryness Of the atmosphere. The
city Is built in the form OF square about four miles
each side. The Pia-a Maj Is Of the finest squares
DO in any city of the world The east side is oc
cupied by the cathedral, magnificent building; the
north by splendid palace, formerly occupied by the
Vceroys (now the National palace whence Santa Anna
hoa ma tfaafnn In
Of houses in the centre of which Is palace called the
Casa del Estada built the site Of the palace of Mon
tezuma and the west Is range Of shops, public
Offices granaries &C., with pazzas In front Near the
suburbs, to the north, Is the Alameda, or great pro-
menade.
The Botanical Garden Is small but rich in rare and
interesting productions 1t Is handsomely laid out In the
spanish fashion with tagged walks bordered with ele
giant large pots Of flowers In the centre Is large stone
basin, supplied by fountain with water
The public buildings ARE very numerous late ira
weller counted 1906 cupolss, Il wonder how many Gen
Scott has counted spires and domes within the city
and there 90 churches besides the cathedral Chat
rich cathedral Ia the precious metals vide Gen Thomp
sons description 80 converts % Of monks and ID
(IIope Gen. Scott will let em out, poor tbngs)
The Franci'cap convent is u large establishment with
aims (ren to one santa Anna has made a draft unon
them) The hospital Is well supported (doubtfuD aud
the mint is the most extensive establishment the kind
In the world and It's castings about the crudest spec
mems Of coming extant) The University, founded In
1851, and the public library, worthy OF notice as
well Ms the Academy Of Painting and Sculpture
The dwelling houses OF the citizens although manv NJ
them elegant lofty and spacious are not AZ well FUR
nisbed mot by any mesn as those Of cities the United
States The city supplied with water by aqueducts and
the canal Of Chaco, which extends from the of thai
name TO the city affords communicate for bringing in
canoes the produce Of the surrounding country and the
fruits flowers and vegetables raised In the beautiful
gardens in the vicinity to market The remains of the
celebrated floating gardens called Champas are near
the lakes, and are now stationary, surrounded by
broad ditch. -
Mexico was formerly subject to foundations from the
lakes to prevent which drain has been cut through
gap In the mountains, twelve miles and 300 feet
wide, at great expense The climate Is bland and the
atmosphere and healthy There are many pleasant
rides out OF the city, Zone Of which Santa Anna
perhaps taken before this time Among others that to
the village OF Tacubaya four miles distant.
Inc city enjoys an extensive commerce (glad TO hear
~ which Is carried through the ports OF Acapulco
on the .fachc and Vera Cruz Avarsdo, Tabasco Tam
poo and Matamoras on the Atlantic side, 10 say
thing OF Huasacualco and Tehuantcpec) Merchandise
transported on mues(snd Santa Anna, In tight
pnch from these seapors, and companies Of traders
with their goods generally go armed 20 protect them
selves from robbers II very sensible arrangemebt who
continually nfest the roads to the capital
The people are much addicted to pleasure and gam
bling tthe more the PITY The ladies, when they
seen Ia the streee, dressed 10 black except ho
days and other public suoh their monthly
revolutions. for nstance) hen their dr.r--r gay
They generally are In carriages when they appear Ia