Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1848-08-19

qualities of that of Vera Cruz, or in scme
, of the suburbs of the city.
Some writer has affirmed that the Mex
leans are not an Incorporate people. As far
as my own observation extends, the remark
isnearlv correct. Intemperance among the
middle and higher classes is of very rare
occurrence. Among the lower, however,
il prevails to a considerable extent. The
Indians, who bring their produce into the
city at early morn, must have their glass of
dgadd[ente-a more poisonous and pestilent
liquor than New England rum. 1t is no
unusual occurrence TO see them lying upon
the pavement, basking or broiling in the
sun. But it is due to truth to say that a
majority Of these deludcd victims are Indi-
an women. The lcperos, ladrones, and
idlers of all kinds, who throng the pulque
and liquor shops, are generally noisy from
the effect of drinking, and good portion
of them find day, as well as night lodging
III The different arches & poriicos the city.
Liquor shops-that is, groceries under the
name of HendtS-are to be found at every
corner of the street. The number of them
is very great, and, of course, very pleasant
to the oliaciories OF whoever passes them.
You might blindlold a man, and lead him
through every street and alley of the city,
and he would give you the number of them
all-that is, if he had decent and rcspcc-
table nose. The liquor most generally sold
is cgaadienfo, under different namcs-ac-
corling rs il is colorcd or scented. 1t is
vile stuff, and fear has sowed the seeds of
death in the constitutions of but too many
of our troops. II is distilled from one ofthc
grains, and almost invariably goes by the
name Of 'Whiskey" among the soldiers.
Pulluc is quite different article, and,
yoa are aware, is the great national boyc-
rage Of the people. II is said by some Of
our physicians to br healthy, If not taken in
too large quantities. Not 50 strong as cider
it has somewhat of its tartness, and is as
unpleasant 10 the palate, at first, as an olive.
PuIqnc shops are TO be seen all over the
city, their walls generally decorated with
some fantastic eprescnation-suc as a
half dozen NlcXcauS drinking pulquc and
dancing, while another plays upon fiddle.
The effect of this liquor is rather cnlivcning
at first, and leads TO song andmerry-makng.
A few glasses too much of it, however,
soon lay the dancers upon the floor.
This beverage is made from the abluted
maguey plant, agavc or American aloe. II
has been known in Mexico since the whites
had any knowledge of the country and,
indeed, according 10 authentic accounts,
much earlier. Paper, cards, and several
other articles are also manufactured from
its fbres. I saw some of these plants in
blossom this side of Pucbla, which were
nearly thirty feet in height, and very pro-
minent objects upon the road side. In the
time of Cortez, the Aztecs manufactured
paper from the maguev.
/ have alluded, in one OF my former let
terS, to beautiful characteristic of the
Mexican ladies-their love and culture of
the gorgeous flowers of their sunny cline,
1t seems to me that they have almost an
equal passion for rearing the many voiced
and briget plumaged birds OF their country.
Above nearly every balcony may be seen
three or four cages suspended, filed with
merry songstcrs. One portion of most of
the markets of the city is dcvof ed to sort
of aviary, for The sale of birds. So in many
| of the streets, the air absolutely vocal with
melody. ] never shall forget my aston
iShment one morning, as ] was out early,
at seeing directly in the street before me,
what appeared at the MON ent to be nothing
less than small houS. made entirely of
bird cages, each sto,y filled with singing
birds, except one. which was inhabited
solely by an old roc stcr. The house was
walking, though it was ten feet high and
half as wide ard thick. How it was car.
| ried puzzled rle not little, for neither legs
or arms We're visible. Upon reaching this
aviary on two legs, ascertained that It was
borne by small Indian girl, almost bent
double urder the weight. Soon several
other walking houses followed. till the
street Was nearly full of them. These cage
ca;r RS all took their way to the grand
plaza, or the market near it, TO dispose OF
tb cir burdens.-Immensc. numbers of these
cages are manufactured in the suburps, OF
wicker of cane, and sometimes quite taste
, fully ornamented, / certainly have never
visited any place where the females cxhbi-
ted so much love for flowers and birds as in
the city of Mexico.
Speaking of birds, have an interesting
incident to narratc. As was recently
, passing through one of the streets, leading
ont of Gale de Piacios, (the great business
thoroughiarc of the capitoD was certain
: that heard the notes of the robin. The
very idea of hearing the notes of one ot
: these songsters, so lar from New England
Induced me 10 stop short, and make some,
thing Of search. There were many birds
t in an adjacent ayiary, and it was difficult
$ TO distinguish the notes of any one of then
: However, after much inquiry, | saw soil
$ tary cage suspended from a balcony, fou
, stories from the ground. | Immediately
I entered the court yard of the house am
was soon at the balcony. There, sur,
e enough, was a robin red-breast, as merr.
! and musical as any have ever seen upol
: the old elm in front of New Englan,
n farmhouse. do not know when so sligh
: an incident has had so magical an efec
If upon my feelings. My Imagination car
a. ried me home in an instant to the gree
il fields-the sunny hillsides-all vocal wit
e the prattle ofthe boblink, the sweet note
a, of the golden oriole, the twittering of IN
=. | .,,,olIo,., op1 ohova all tho charehad m.