The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-19

has. usual large church, filled usual with tawdry
trfmpery ornaments. The panorama visible from tins
town is fine, and embraces the scenes OF many OF the
celebrated achievements of the Spanards during the
hs o. sAao wm ieT miles on s ." the
south is Choua, and in the distance towards the north
extend the plains OF Apam which Cortes gained the
decisive victory over the forces OF Guaiomozn' near
rama is Popocaapetl, the view OF which is inner from
San Martin than from any other spot on It's northern and
asSed 5a o me mountain ese
the sky presenting regular truncaed cone ehcI
cled with belt of snow. The lower portion is covered
with woods and that nearest the edge is free from snow
in consequence of the heat black line also extends
down through the middle on the side opposite to San
Martin, probably accumulation OF rocks produced by
the cooling OF the lava in the last eruption The noun
tain has been assembled 10 the edge OF the crater several
tunes; the most complete scientific examination OF 1t
was however made in 1888, BY Baron de Gerolt then
OF that powerin Washington OF whose interesting report
procured a copy, now before me- BY these observa-
lions the limit of vegetation was ascerained 10 be ~
feet, and the whole elevation of the mountain 1852
feet above the level Of the al the latter place the
barometer marked only fifteen inches and sirenths; and
at the Pico del Fraae, than thousand feet lower
The crater oval in form, and about one mile IN It's
greatest diameter IFS depth was about 900 feet its bot
tom being sort of plain with numerous splits and holes
from which sulphurous vapors were constantly issuing
Stones projected frequently with much noise from
these holes but they passed beyond the cavity OF
the crater lztaccihua, which lies next to the great
volcano the north, but little inferior in height and
also of volcanic origin though il has no crater.
Beyond San Martin, the ascent becomes more steep;
the road was, however, toleabe, and continued on
wards at fair pace generally through wild looking
country, thiny wooded with oaks and pines, among
which great rocks of lava and pophyry are scattered Al
the distance of miles, we passed a ravne
with small stream flowing through IT, on fne stone
bridge and after changed horses at the yena or Inn
OF Tesmelucos, an old hacienda OF most qnnYunF ap
Iha rna1 Winds
mountain and i has been cut through the sold rock IN
many places aordng facilities for robberies which have
not been neglected. according to the accounts OF my ie
short descent, and at noon entered dell traverscd by
the little stream aforementioned, which gives to the
place its OF Rio Frio-Cold Rirer.
We dined at the solitary venta OF Rio Fro in company
with the passengers OF another stage coach, which runs
only between Puebla and Mexico Two oil these pas
sengers Franciscan rars, both meszos; and more
hideous looking figures never saw, even among the
tenants OF the widest Appenne convent OF that mend-
cant order On returning to the stage coach, took
the box with the driver in order to have good
view of the interesting which were soon TO pre-
themselves, trusting TO thick camblet cloak Tor
protection against the occasional showers continued
to ascend for hour longer, when we reached the
summit of the ridge near ravne, called the Bd'TGncd
de Joaes, elevated lo,5oD feet above the ocean from
hour we emerged suddenly from the forest into open
space in which stands the Venta Of Cordova, and there
we spread out beneath the famous valley q Anahu
&C, with the famous lake OF Tczcuco in the middle
Respecting the view of the valley OF Mexico presented
from this spot obliged to express opinion at va
rance with all the others which have heard or read
could be farther from the beautiful We see vast cav
ty like crater, surrounded by wall OF peaked and
Jagged mountains within which rise number OF smaller
peaks-all black, bare and desoaie The vegetable
kingdom represented only by those embems OF serlity
the nopas and the magueys, {aloes and pricky pears
OF the existence Of man, few traces are dscernlole
everything in fact bears the marks OF mighty igneous
convulson from which the earth has not yet recovered
sufficiently be able to resume the exercise OF its organ
The descent from the Venta de Cordova very steep,
and I'VE were Borne down it. with fearful rapiaty the
sandy plain which forms the floor of the valley Plough
ing through this plain for hour more, over sanity
flats among rocky volcanic knobs, thny covered with
gigantic scaggy looking cacuses, we reached the little
village of Ayoa situated at the base OF the extinct vol
cano of Cochumac, the edge OF the Lake OF Chalco
beyond which, the left, we saw the old town
OF that name so celebrated in the histories of the
conquest and at length about four o'clock changed
to the lake of Tezcuco a
Immediately on leaving Los Reyes, entered upon the
aons ibe margin Of The lake Of Tezcuco to the CAPT
tai The rainy already said at its height
and the lake presented broad expanse on the right,
water extending to the Chalco lake The causeway is
about wide Broadway in New York; and, being in
fine order, dashed over It at rapid rate strained
my eyes catch the first view OF the towers OF the cathe
dal which length became family visible at the dis
lance of four niles Other towers and domes then slow
y disengaged themselves from the MIST and at o'clock
our carriage stopped by the custom house officers at
the Gartd del Peoi the southwestern gate OF the city
of Mexico The baggage having been hastily examined,
we passed the barrier and entered street, with low,
mean, and decayng houses. AS we advanced, things
put on better appearances we were soon passing be-
tween rows OF grand looking buildings resembling the
best in Pnebla and after driving mile IN this way we
found ourselves the great square, with the palace the
cathedral and the parian before us just where stood,
three hundred years before, the palace Of Montezuma,
the grand teocal and the headquarters OF Cortes
To the account here given Of the road from Pueba TO
Mexico have nothing to add. II presents numerous
points well calculated for defence but which may
not be carried BY troops such those under the command
of our gallant Genera-n-chef and the whole may be
turned without much loss of time by passing little FAR
the north. through the plains Of Apam Otumba and San
Juan de Teothuacan The distance the road travelled
by us u.s. by my estimate, sevenyt miles, the subdi
visions will be found in the following table OF distances
| from Vera Cruz 10 the capital.
Table of the distances miles btceen the principal places
the road from Va Cruz TO Merico, nth the heighf feet
of the remarkable points Adore the ocean level
Distance in miles Height in feet.
VERA Cevz
| Santa Fe
| Ell Manantial
Bocaron
| Toome
Paso de Oveas
PuENTE NAcIoNAL 2-i
La Rinconada tr.f
Palo Cache
| Plan del Rio
| Cerro Gordo
L . II. u