Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-06-22
LITE RARY.

FL fUcHERo, or MiLed Dish from lHeTt-
co !; embracing Gen. SCOTS campaign, ,oith
skefche Of Military Life in field and camp, Of
the character Of the country, manners, and ,eays
Of the people. Sc. BY RICHARD McSHERRY, Md.
U. 8. Navy, late Acting Surgeon Of Regiment Of
Marines.
This the rather quaint title of very agreeable and in
sucve luodecimo which has just issued from the Pha-
dephia Pess and is sale by Mr. MonRrsos, of this city
Dr. McsHERRr, though not author by profession evil
IDENTIFY gentleman of literary taste and keen yet kind OBJ
His unobtusve and engaging department smoohed
his way into the most polite circles of Mexican society," and
thus gave him opportunities, which he has udcousy used
of acquanng himself with the character manners and
toms oht people On these topics his graphic and ohand
sketches suggest matter for serious consideration in regard
countywhch military and political events have made SO
interesting to ourselves His pages bring wildly before us
the unhSpy TRUTH that in Mexico as in the country from
which sh sprung, and indeed in nearly if not entirely all
the nations of continental Europe society made up Of the
two exmesan arstocacy and popnIace that she ut
tery waiting in that mddng class which has made the
Angoxon prosperous and mighty and without which
natin have strong heart But though the people of
Mexico not, and mainly from this want sturdy indie.
pender honest people, Dr. McShery presents us with some
pleasing views of their national character II yet retains in
the upper classes, the Casan impress Of generosity high
bred curesy, and graceful hospitality and in Mexico as in
other countries, he kindness Of the women swhen pain and
anguh wiring the brow" is in bright with the fierce
passions of the The author witnessed instance Of
this the conduct Of lady of San Augustin young
American officer Of Marines who brought ill and dying
to the house of which she inmate. Seeing in him
not the enemy of her country, but suffering brother far
from home and friends" this high-born and lovely Mexican
prepared with her hands such little deicacies as
only the ku hand of gentle make acceptable to
the perverted palate Of the victim of disease" The Incl
dent well told though with redundancy Of diction
that do not easily refrain from here inserting this passage
Of DR.. McSherry's work.
The temptation strong and also be resisted
exacth account Of the landing Of the United States troops
the beach Vera Cruz his views Of the dissatisfaction
of the wealthy andhoders with their Government Of its in
stability and expressions and of the degraded and servle
condition Of the Indians his picture Of the enchanting
Of the valley in which the city Of Mexico is uaed his
sketches Of the cathedral churches the converts the circus
the bull fights the operas the shops the modes Of fashionable
entertainment his notice Of the abundant use and exquisite
beauty of preserved fruits &c. &C. For these and other
passages equally attractive the reader must be referred the
book ITSELF of which he will find the contents amply to fulfil
the promise of the title page.
We make for passage concerning the Jesuts and
dral and churches Of Mexico, says:
"The padres of the Profesa and San Francisco bear the
best private characters of any the regular clergy of this c
ty the former, believe, allied to the Jesuis Who
though banshed from Mexico, the exemplary la
borers ever employed in this vineyard It for that
son, probably, that they expelled The Franciscans
contested the matter with them especially upon the mission
airy field. Other orders less successful It would per-
haps be difficult explain why, when the Jesuits were
expelled others were allowed to remain in quiet possess
sion, who, without the energy ZEAL learning of that ia
nous order, were not free from their imputed faults Com
mon runner has great deal TO say against the clergy of the
present day, who condemned Unfortunately by most
travellers, and their countymen speak of their
faults and foies without reserve though they say there
many good and exemplary among them. One re.
mark must in justice be made of the Mexican clergy-a re-
mark made by intelligent resident-he idle and bad
are always most prominent to strangers while the vr,uous
and conscientious quietly pursue their course unseen"
Among the interesting notices in the book is the follow
ng of the impression the minds Of the Mexcans of the
humanity Of their conqueror General TAYLOR -.
Seen Scott has got of the good graces the Mexican
ladies' by rejecting the petition Of number of them in favor
Of the San Patricio prisoners deserers from amy)
Reasoning after the fashion Of women from the heart they
think very cruel indeed keep the pobe in irons, &C.
now that our arms are so completely triumphant.
"They want to draw parallel between General Tyor
(Tayor and General Esco they call them they think
the former who they say, is beloved by the whole Mexican
nation, would not have been deaf to their prayers"
To the work appended narratives, from official docu
ments, of the battles Of Vera Cruz and Ceo Gordo and
list of officers Of the United States Army and Volunteers who
engaged in the battles Of the Valley of Mexico under
command Of General Scott in the months Of August and Sep
tembe ls47 These valuable papers prepared by Da
vd Holmes Conrad, Esq Of Maftinsburg Virginia, the dis
nguished gentleman whom the letters which constitute
Dr. Mcshenys work addressed and whose recon-
mendation they published.