The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-03-11
The Terra Templada.
(TIIE TEMPERATE REGIoN.)

At elevation rangin.; from 1000 to 1000 feet
above the Gulf of Mexico is situated the little
state OF Jalapa, which is supposed to derive its
name from the well known medical shrub (con-
v"tuus jafapa, plant indigenous to the eli
mate The climate is perpetual spring, anl
throughout the year the average temperature
is 64S Farenhcit. series of mountain heights
protect it from the vicissitudes of more north
ern ATTITUDES; while its corresponding eleva
tion is surety against the prevailing atmos-
Phere of the terra caiienic. The climate, soil
and varied productions perfections in ma
turc, yet one thing ia sadly wanting; viz. the
right kind of population. The greater par
of this fine country a wild waste and the
remainder is devoted to the rearing of live
stock. From the Cerro Gordo Il pure fountain
water courses parellel with the road for n
distance oftiv miles, AMI here we entered :,
lane of m lies i'll extent enclosing luxuriant pas
furagcs The hedges We're composed OF loose
stones, gathered i'll at the top from a wide
base. Not particle ofmortar being used in
their construction this estate embracing some
80 miles i'll extent is said to be the property of
Mrs. Don Isadora, n rich old widow We have
ever been at loss to ascertain how far We
the route. l find the distance usually cou,pu-
ted by the men to he in accordance with the
amount of fatigue endured by the way, whclh-
er long or short journey. The sun was sink
ing behind The western mruninins when we
reached Encero, the summer seat and estate Of
Gen. Santa Anna. Here we halted and once.
more pitched our camp either side Of n
mountain torrent. Our III .rches are neccssuri-
ly measured by the distance between the wa.
tering stations
it We're not for the lodges Of rocks, the
streams in this county would long since have
found their level with the ocean Tn follow
ing the course Of this little rivulet short dis
tance below our camp and TO where it had cut
its way nearly hundred feet into the earth W.
had presented Scene Of unrivacd beauty
water falls, cascades, rugged cliffs. caverns pre-
cipiccs and blooming plants, all mingled to-
gether in Wild confusion. The trunks and
branches OF small trees mostly live oak were
nearly covered with creepcrs and parasitic
plants that fixed themselves upon their stems
Upon single limb, l counted several differ
ent species ofpnrisitic plants oil in bloom
Among The cactus tribe. observed cactus Mar
n'amiildm, which grows up in single stem s
feet high. Its top is covered with gray hair
exactly similar to the crown Of its venerable
nanesake. On my return to camp observed
a blacksmith shop and forge in full blast. Ev-
cry division i'll the army is provided with a
portable furnace anvil tools DC, which are
transported on wagon, drawn by eight hor.
ses.-
Morning Of the 23d.-I was aroused from
most delicious sumber by the soul inspiring
reveille, that re-cchoed its enIivening strains
over one of natures most lovely and animated
scenes. The cattle were quietly feeding upon
the neighhoring hills and the interve ening val
leys were dotted with the snowy coverlets of
numerous focks Of sheep, attended in their
meanderings by their shepherds who with their
faithful dogs watch them night and day. We
lett our camp this morning in fine spirits, first
atthe prospect of speedy termination Of
journey of 6s miles, and secondly the agreea-
ble anticipation of occupying this delightful
ragion of country, If not in garrison, at least
for sufficient length of time to recruit our
physical jaded energies which by the way had
fallen considerably below par. In travelling
this short distance, probably not more than 80
miles by an air line. we find ourselves in to-
tally different climate. and at an elevation Of
5000 feet above Vera Cruz which in the same
latitude accounts for the variation in the tenn.
perature, where the climate and vegetable pro.
ductions are marked by the different degrees
Of elevation. Platteaus and table lands continnc
to rise one above the other until their highes,
points 60 beyond the cou e. The sudden
transition from the burning sands Of the terra
calientc to the spring like atmosphere of ia
lapa rendered it difficult for the moment to re-
alize the fact, but nature was in nc testing
mood. and soon we began to feel it's cheerful
and insigorating influence acting like charm
upon our worn and jaded limbs From Encero
the road passes over a lovely country wild and
picturesque, presenting alternately cooling
streams. rich meadows and gentle alopes car
peted with iuxuriant green, and the hills are can.
opied with groves of:lise oak aud interspersed
with beautiful everglades over which the wild
deer bounded at our approach. In the vicin
ity of the city the country began to assume a
more cultivated appearance. while the better,
constructed habitations:'o Of the poor, reminded
Us that We werein cooler climate These
domieils presented an air ofcomfort and clean
l,ness wholly different from that we had bssp
,used to seeing. while the well cultivated gar
deus and patches of ripsping corn aud sugsr:
cane, surrounding them induced the conclusion
that here was the abode of plenty il not Of con.
tentment From here tsths gates Of Jnlapa is
one continued grove of orange, plantaiu and
baonapaa tress, laden with ripenihg fruit. The
y atmosphere pure end beahsas Eden, comes to
US stepped in the xPsrfpnso Of oriental aow owsrs
In the midst o these lovely genes the fair