The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-07-25


mense that we could hardly see one another
across them, and where the windows were
the doors, and the doors had locks upon
them like those on the Inquisition in Spain,
or the Bastile in Paris.
At the cathedral one day we assisted
at a solemn Function" for the departed
soul Of some defunct priest, and where the
orchestra played, among other pieces, the
jOlliest part Of Rossinis aBarber ofSaville"
-pleasanter for us than the priest, | think.
The few idle hours we had, were passed in
basking in the sunshine of the great plaza,
and looking at the Indian water-carriers
filing their stone jars from the pretty
fountain, and walking off with their heavy
loads, strapped from their heads; while
their wives struggled about with their tiny,
little brighteyed, black haired babes slung
upon their backs. We wanted much to
visit the neighboring old Aztec city of
Cholula, where were many ancient Indian
antiquities. It was only six miles, but the
road was infested by robbers, and we didn't
screw our courage up to the sticking place
Of risking our moderately valuable pocket
books and watches so we didn't see
Cholula.
VoLcANoEs.-From Puebla we had our
first grand views of Popocatepetl and X
taccihuatl, the two famous snow.capped
volcanoes Of Mexico, nearly twenty thou
sand feet above the sea.
Another day ride from Puebla, through
enormous plantations Of maguey (for max
ing pulque) and clouds and clouds Of dust
the busiest ride in all the woodland
We at last entered the great City of Mexi-
co 1t seemed like little Paris, after the
other towns and cities we had visited in
this country and when we were driven to
the Hotel Iturbide, (once the Emperor's
palace where our apartments were larger
and better than most any hotel in Ameri-
ca, with electric bells to the Office, and
French and Italian opera troupe on the
same floor with us, and a man chamber
maid who looked like Mexican muleteer,
we thought we had indeed arrived at "The
Halls of Montezuma y
To describe Mexico City, what we do in
it, what We see, and how we pass our time,
would I'll more sheets Of paper than you
will care to read; and know you are
growing sleepy over the many pages | have
already filed. So will be brief hereafter,
and may devote another letter to the city
Of the Aztecs.
STREETS OF MExIco.-In order to give
you an idea of the streets of Mexico, how
ever, will here copy pencil memorandum
of exactly what passed at our hotel during
precisely halfhour of one day last week.
II was from three o'clock until halfpast,
as sat in the high balcony Of our front
windows, and jotted down the passers-by
in the following order First, Mexican
man carrying on his head, and nearly hid
ing him from view, lot of clean, freshly
washed and ironed ladies' petticoats; next,
drove Of fifteen mules from the country;
next, q man watering the street with a
simple flower watering pot next, huge,
ungainly railroad omnibus drawn by four
mules next, great Aztec Indian, carry
ing on his back an armchair, in which sat
blind beggar, and going about from house
to house begging next, n water-carrier,
with two jars strapped to his head, one in
front and one behind next, Mexican
woman, with great bag of fruit in her
hands, and a bright-eyed little baby tied
on her back next, an enormous van or
country cart, drawn by eight mules, four
abreast; next, flock Of beautiful singing
birds next, couple Of elegantly dressed
Mexican eaballeros, on splendid horses, with
great silver stirrups, silver mounted sad.
dies, with lasso rope on the pommel, and
silver chasings oil over the brides; next,
two Indian women, with some ladies'
washing on their backs next, man with
six ladies' shoes in bread-basket on his
head next, two dirty mules, loaded with
lot Of raw meat for tho market next, an
Aztec woman with basket of flowers in
her hand, and her baby tied upon her back
next, three struggling Mexican country
men, wrapped up to their noses in great,
rough, thick, white blankets, and their
brown legs completely bare next, two
eyer-so-ragged, dirty Indians, carrying on
their backs baskets of charcoal; next, m
Indian woman, with big earthen water
jar on her back, next, a boy with waiter,
containing somebody's breakfast, on his
head breakfast in the afternoon, observe >
next, drove Of seven donkeys, all loaded
with bales of charcoal tied up In hay
next, gorgeous coach and pair of horses,
with silver harness; next, four Indians,
carrying a square piano upon their heads !;
next, group of water-carriers; next, an
elegantly dressed lady, with purple silk
gown and black lace veil, going TO church,
with her shabby servant woman walking
behind her; next, three Mexican soldiers
on foot, gazing into the shop windows
next, man with an immense roll Of
carpet on his back next, the entire tin roof
Of small house upon an Indians head
(moying, suppose;) next, poor looking
horse and shaggy donkey hitched to-
gether, drawing an enormous load of hay;
next, man with straw sack Of oranges
on his back next, four Aztec women,
every soul Of them with the everlast-
ing little black eved black .h.irad h.hy