Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-05-09
Gbuirt Iitrraturr.
From Graham's Magazine.
ISABELLA DE MONTALVA.
[coNTINUED FROM OUR LAST.

STORY OF THE CENTRE DIVISION.
[coNrINUED FROM OUR LAsT.]
PART II.
An itinerary is the most tedious of all
literary devices. At what hour the trav-
eler was reused in the morning. how far
he travelled each day, and at what place
he spent the night, are facts which have
only moderate degree of interest TO
most readers. Even the questions about
the missariat--whether he got wheat
bread or corn bread, hot coffee or cold
water, tender beef or tough goat s-hesh-
closely as they touch most men, when
repeated few times, lose much Of their
importance. And-to make the appli-
cailon-as set out to tell the story Of
Isabella de Montalva and Lance Creigh- |
ion, will dismiss our journey from San
Antonio in Texas to Monclova in Goa
hula, with the single remark, that we
were something more than month in ma
king the distance, and that succession
ofDew scenes and new adventures had
somewhat obscured my recollection of
the strange events related in Part First.
nAOuCAONus tiC AOl NupildA VI VIC
State of Coahuila, is town of some ten
thousand inhabitants, but moderately
well built, and presentingt the quiet dreamy
aspect Of all old Spanish cities in that
part of the world. 1t stands upon the
slope Of the mountains--or rather at the
point where the little hills, oIfshoots OF
the sierra, break up the level of the plain,
aud the rivulets and miniature torrents
come bounding clear and noisy from the
springs and fountain-lakes far up among
the crags. The scenery around is diver
sifed and beoutiful-though the country
is but ihihlS peopled without the city lims
its, and but small part Of it is under
cultivation. The hills are crowned with
pine and cedar but the plains, which
stretch away unfolled towards the b ofi-
zon, are destitute of trees, and desolate
in their barrehness. But little grass can
grow Upon the arid soil but, in its stead
are countless varieties of cactus, brist.
ling, shapeless and dangerous. But
where the water from the mountains ha;
been brought ~ irrigating canals TO helE
the hand Of agricultural effort, gardens
glowing with tropical and rich varieties
Of colors-waving trees, and orange
groves and Towering plants-have sprhn.
DIS il by magic; from the stony ground
The plantain, palm and China trees-th,
orange, fig and grape-the rose-acacia
balsanl-fT and gorgeous catulpa-grac
the land with flowers and fruits; Will
at theft feet are growing in profusioh ev
cry variety Of vine and shrub and bloom
ing plant. Far up among the mountai
crags are lying, green and peaceful, she
tered hooks and sunny spots, where cry
tai fountains gush from under moss-grow
rocks where golden sands and many
colored pebbles roll beneath the silver
waters where the aged arms of giar
pines and verdant, stately cedars al
waved by mountain breezes, and reAe'
ted by the tranquil lakes where the pu
ple-fowered ivy twines about the ruggt
crags, and hangs in wreaths and gay fe
toons from jutling rocks and where
sound except the tinkling of the strear
lets or the plash Of lonely waterfalls, i
vades the haunted solitude. There W
one place like this-how plainly can
see it now, across the SHOWS and leafe
trees Of this our Northern clime-t
yond the waving plains and arid stee
Intervening-wih its little, peaceful la
set like diamond in an emerald crow
ats thread-llke stream ofliquid silver W
ding down along the verdant slopes,
dashing dissipated into spray against
crags, and leaping lightly down the p
cipice and sprinkling with prismatic dr.
the rocks and trees a thousand feet
low! It was at this place-Lu EsmerO
as we called it, .AgUGUerde in the langui
Of the people there-that my story en-
But must not anticipate.
When the column left Monclova
move on Paras, /, with three or four b
dred others, was left at the former pla
and ordered TO report to Major War;
OF The First Illinois foot, the comma
ant oil the post and governor of the C
NOW, lie IN garrison, where the G.
duties are watching re5ellious pop
uon ana waiting for the arrival Of exp
ses and ProvislOn-trains, soon beco
monoionous and our situation in N
clova was no exception to the gen
rule. There was amusement enouo
the city from the first but it was no Q
after two or three significant les
given to the people by The command
that we could feel secure in ava;Iing
selves Of them. When that time arr