The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-11-17

We began our march early next
morning, and kept winding round Hills
covered with thick woods Of pines, and
carpeted with variety of wild flowers,
until about eleven o'clock when we
reached a maison on the summit of the
mountain, and obtained view Of the
far-famed valley of Mexico.
Description is tame when one tries
to convey the impression which this
scene usually makes on all who see it
for the first time. 1t is certainly the !
most magnificent view in Mexico per.
haps, of the peculiar description, the
first in the world. At an elevation of
about 5000 feet, the spectator sees, as
if spread at his feet like map, the
whole of the valley of Mexico, its cir
conference at the base of the noun
tains which form the sides of the nigh
ty basin, 100 miles, and at the crest
Of the mountains 200 miles. The
whole Of the plain, from the height on
which the spectator stands, is distinct
ly taken in at one view, and the most
minute details are distinctly defined
and delmeated, owing to the rcmarka.
bic transparency and purity of the at
mosphere. The towers and spires of
the city of Mexico, twenty five miles
distant, arc distinctly seen peering out
from the foliage aid trees almost the
only part of the valley where trees are
to be seen, by the by, is that round the
city. The remainder of the valley
presents the uniform appearance Of a
large green plain, dotted with white
churches, spires, haciendas, and con-
tanning several large sheets of water,
the remains of the lakes which are
said to have once nearly covered the
whole valley. Several small insulated
mountains may also be distinctly dis
cerned, the only large objects that rise
on the surface Of the vast unbroken
green plain. The mountains of POGO
pocatepetl, and Iztaccihuatl, its brother
giant, rise about twenty miles to the
left, and tower to height of 1000
feet higher than where the spectator is
: standing, though owing to the bright
atmosphere and the sun shining on the
snow, seeming only two Or three miles
distant. The whole Of this beautiful val-
ley is hemmed il by complete circle
Of stupendously rugged and dark-look
ing mountains, the rough but sublime
,, setting Of nature to one Of her most
| inimitable pictures, a most perfect
combination of the sublime and beauti
/ ful.
. Yes, seen from that elevation, the
: valley of Mexico is most glorious and
magnificent sight, but 4" It's distance
lends enchantment to the view," and
{ as we descend into it, its beauties van
ish. The lakes become marshes, the
, fields are not cultivated, the villages
, are mud, and the inhabitants wretchcd
. looking Indian poems, in rags ant
5 squalid misery. We encamped outside
of q small town, called Chalco, on the
J, lake of that name, aud near the lef
9 edge of the valley. On descending th'
a hill, where we lay two days, Genera
: Scott in the meantime having reconnoi
a tired the enemy's fortifcations at th'
! Penon, decided on trying if anothe
y way could not be found to reach tn
city. Colonel DUNCAN having satisfied
General Scott that road for artilcr,
could be cut from Chalco to Angus
f tine, General North's division moyet
c in that direction on the 10Th, followe,
: by Twiggs' and Pillows. We march
e ed by short days stages over terribl.
:, bad road, and on the 18th We arrived
at Augustine, within few miles of th
encmy's position" Adventures Of {
Soldier in Werico. ~. .Servic
!. Magdzine.
Il