Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-12-09
NAE VALLrr or Mrx1On.-All trnxelIers and Inns

The VALLEY OF MExIco.-All travellers and his
torans speak Of the remarkable purity OF the anos-
piIere the valley of Mexico, aud the peculiar rich
tints with which the light, passing through this thin
medium, invests every object; presenting to the eye
one of the most glowing and delicious views that
ever met the admIring gaze of man. There probably
Is no city in the world which presents such natural
charms around it that of Mexico, and we can
easily conceive of the delight which they impart
when they first break upon the vision Of the belOder
Invading armies have momentariay paused at the
sight, impressed by the splendor of the view, and the
hearts of the grim warriors have felt their stern pur
poses relaxing, as they gased upon the enchanting
scene, which even the decay of time and the desola
ton OF war cannot deprive of its matchesS beauties
Prescott pictures the proud conqueror, Cortez, stand
ing on commanding height above the luxurious
home of Montezuma, the scene of barbarc splendor,
and looking with unspeakable delight upon the rich
prospect spread before him in the valley below where
the remOtest objects possessed brancy of color
ing and sharpness of outline that seemed to annihl
late distance. The scene though sadly changed since
then, and now exhibiting the marks Of decay which
time, neglect and the hand of violence have Impress
ed upon It, possesses much Of the natural beauty that
then distinguished it. The hills, valleys, lakes,
mountains streams and towering cedars that greeted
the intoxicated vision of the Spanish conqueror. and
clothed the view with such charms, met the eyes of
own brave countrymen, they approached the
Aztec Capital But the aspect of the city itself is
entirely changed, and would not be recognized at this
day the proud place which once, by its magnifi-
cence, astonshed warrior accustomed to the splen-
doris of one of the richest countries Of the Eastern
continent. The Lake Of Tezcuco which once entire
ly surrounded and traversed with its canals the i'm
peria city, has recedcd several miles Then it was
only approachabe through narrow causeways, built
of solid masonry; the house 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 danced
gently on the undulatiUns of the waves. More than
oriental splendor everywhere visible the ruins of
which still to be traced by the curious traveller
The aspect of the city is Spanish; Christian
cathedral its front where the horrid teOcali
raised its Internal alters red with the blood Of
human Victims devoted alive to the sacrlfcial knife
by the barbarous religion of the country to propi-
tatc the dees that supposed to preside the
destinIes of Mexico. These changes effected
by the people whose descendants seem devoted to the
fate that awaited the ancient Mexicans at the
hands of the Spanards Three hundred years of rule
in American hands, would present probably broad
contrast but how different in lis character from that
the Spaniards created! The country would be i'm
proved in every respect, under the domination of the
indefatigable Yankee, who never puts hand to any,
thing susceptible of improvement, without altering its
character for the better; Its rich resources would be
developed and applied to the relief Of human wants
and the increase of human comforts. population,
increased manifold in numbers would be spread over
the country, and race Of enlightened independent
people would add their strength to the perpetuaton
of free and republican principles in their purity and
power.-Pd. Ledger.