The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1851-03-08
ASCENT or popocArErETL.


Our readers are aware that the Poporntc-
ped is within full view from the city Of Mex
leo. The ascent of il was effected in May
lasty by Edward Thornton Esq, attached 20
the British Legation in MCxico,in company
win some Of his friends The party passed
their first night at the "Rancho of Hamaneds"
at the height Of 2,5s2 English feet above the
level of the ocean. On the following MORN
ing they started at o'clock aud in five hours
aud three quarters they reached the lower
lip Of the crater. Here is small Rancho for
the convenience of those collecting sulphur
from the volcano.
From our feet ( saws Mr. Thornton) straight
down to the limits Of vegetation was one sheet
OF snow, without 10 ( or stohI iU brvnk- rs
unity; then vast woods, then towns and vii
lagos dotted over the cultivated lands, but all
seen exceedingly elear=aGen- -Eith- -thn-nalasl-
eyc--a peculiarly which have never OBJ
served in any country so much as the high
table land of Mexico; the eye could evon
distinguish the different green of tho sugar
plantations in the TERRA Calicntc, far a.
way.
The height Of the mountain seems to have
been asccrtaincd very satisiactory--thc baro-
metrcal measurements of Mr. Thornton a
greeing almost exactly with those of Mr. Glen
mic.
"AIy next care was TO set up my barometer.
One of the thermometers found brokenhow
cannot imaPine,for had them packsd very
carefully, and had never let them out Of my
own hands however ! considered myself for
tunatc that had brought up two of them.---
The height of the little house have mcntion-
eIi above, and which the director entitled the
Ranch del Espeo," is, according to my bar
omcter, l7,277.6 English feet, or 5,23i.2 me-
tres. Ia the year 1926, the mountain was as
ccnded by Mr. William Glennc and his broth
err on the North West side, and barometri-
cal observation was taken by the former ON
the highest peak, which is ON the highest side
of the crater. The height calculated by him
was 1898 English feet and we conjecturcd
that that peak was about 500 feet higher than
the lower lip of the crater, and the Rancho
del Epejo about one hundred feet below
the latter; no that in fact my observation is
confirmation ofthat taken by, Mr. GIennie.--
We did not go 10 this point because,on account
of the broken nature of the mountain, it would
have cost about four hours more hard labor TO
have got to it, which we did not think worth
while for so small an elevation"
The crater of this mountain must be ono
of the most terrific objects when the volcano is
active. Imagine an oval pit, nearly two-thirds
of a mile across, with almost perpendicular
walls, and an average depth of quarter of a
mile II resembles, more nearly, probably,
than any other crater on the surface of the
globe, those tremendous cavities on tho sur
face of the moon, as revealed by the telc-
scope.
Great as was the impression which the
first view Of the crater made upon me. it is
impossible for me to give any adequate de-
scription of it. The ascent 10 il from Rancho
del Espejo was so rapid that We came upon
it of a sudden the snow rcaohihg to tho very
brink. 1t required toerable good head not
to be little bewildOred at so suddenly COM
ing upon the edge ofa perpendicular depth
Of 900 feet, which is certainly no exaggcr,-
riUr Of tTat o Fefs isusu tho Low
er lip; from the highest peak it must be ,soO
The form is rather oval shan circular, AID