The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-10-16
POPOCATEPETL.
BY THE REV. THOMAS CARTER, D. I
From tie Methodist.

| From tie Methodist.
There is, every clear day, fine view of
| Popocatepetl from one of the windows of
our late mission house in the city of Mexico.
There it lies, its summit above the clouds,
in region where the snow never appears
in the lowlands, crowned with undisturbed
snow and ice forever. When the last rays
of the setting sun shine upon it's peak, ilu-
minating the white and brilliant crest, and
the spectator is between the sun and the
mountain, the view is gorgeous and its
apparent nearness leads to the supposition
that it's ascent is much more easy task
than what it is in reality. 1t bears every
| evidence of having been once a Volcano
| The translation of the name is, "The
mountain with the smoking top;'' but the
| fire which once blazed from its crater, and
scattered the lava lying in every direction
throughout the valley of Mexico, has long
since been quenched and there is no recol-
lection now of the era when it's glory
departed.
lie luOSC easy way W Sol W Iilo up IL oh
the city of Mexico, though not the most
direct, is to 60 by rail to Puebla, and from
Puebla to Atlzco, which is situated nearly
at the foot of the mountain. There is an
interesting tradition connected with the
latter town illustrating the power of the
Inquisition in the time of the vice-kings.
A rich old hidalgo, who had two daughters
lived in its immediate neighborhood. 1t
happened that one Of the daughters was
insulted by strolling monk, and the in
dignant father, regardless of the sacred
character of the offender, inflicted upon
him a severe and well-deserved fogging
He well knew the danger Of the act, and
that the only way to save himself from the
dungeons of the Inquisition, and all the
fatal consequences of having touched
holy friar, was by flight. But where could
he fly No one would dare to conceal,
harbor, or supply with food person who
had been denounced by the holy Office, and
in obedience to the Inquisition the whole
country would rise in his pursuit He
adopted singular expedient. He caused
it to be announced that he had suddenly
died-not remarkable event, the people
thought, when it became known that he
had laid hands upon priest; and not hav-
ing yet been accused, his neighbors ven
tured to come to tho burial, and beheld a
coffin, with his name and age marked upon
it, decently inferred In due time the In
noccoS ind tha
pious act committed by the hidalgo, and
declared all his property confscated for the
benefit of the holy office. The daughters
put on the deepest mourning and hid them
selves from the public gaze; for they had
not only to endure the loss of home and
estates, but were to be Stunned as the
accursed of God-the children of .one dying
while under the accusation of sacrilege.
In short time there were strange ap-
pearances and noises in the neighborhood
of a cave which is said to be at the top of
hill near Atlizco and sometimes a ghost
had been seen wandering about by certain
benighted villagers. On one occasion the
offending and accusing monk was returning
rather later than usual from drunken
revel, and the ghost CHANGED to fall in with
him, giving him such drubbing as few
living men could infict. Years wore along
until the new and liberal Viceroy Ravil-
lagigedo came into office. Shortly after
there appeared at his palace in the city of
Mexico the old man, who related his griefs
in a private audience, insisting that in
striking the Lords Amounted he had no
intention of committing an act of impiety,
but had been overcome in an unguarded
moment by the feelings of father on wit
Messing the insult to his daughter. The
| Viceroy, who was not as others had been,
the tool of the priests, advised him to re-
turn and hide himself until he could find
an opportunity to bring his daughter to
Mexico that she might accuse the friar.
On set day the Viceroy was found ar
rayed in state surrounded by a council of
inquisitors, before whom the daughter pre-
sented herself as the accuser of the profit
gate monk. She stated her story with art
less simplicity, which was corroborated by
her sister, and the inquisitors could not do
otherwise than declare that the monk and
not the hidalgo was worthy of the censure
of the church.
"Then let US wipe away the stain that
rests upon the fair fame of these ladies, as
daughters of one dying suspected, by de-
creeing their fathers innocence said the
Ficeroy.
As they had no doubt of the death of the
hidalgo, and the confiscation of his estate
had already taken place, the inquisitors
had not the least objection, and made up
duly attested record to that effect, which
was handed to the daughters on the spot.
Thereupon, side door being opened, a
gray headed man entered, the august pres
ence to whom the record was presented.
1t was the hidalgo who thus received the
testimony of his innocence, and being alive,
had the right to claim, and did claim and
receive, his property. Its restoration was
such bitter pill for the holy office to swal-
low that it has not been forgotten to this
day.
This occurred in the immediate neighbor-
hood of Popocatepetl. The ascent Of the
mountain is hazardous and serious under
taking. We condense an account of such
an expedition which took place some years
ago. A party of gentlemen proceeded
from Atlizco in making the ascent on horse
back to the rancho of Zacopalco one of
the highest inhabited points on the globe;
thence to hut intended for the shelter of
herdsmen who were caught out at night
The pine timber grew more stunted as they
proceeded, until at the height of 10, 544 feet
it entirely disappeared. A little further
on, at an elevation of ~, 692 feet, they were
at the limit of vegetation. Having gone a
league or SO beyond this point the horses
gave out, and they proceeded on foot. 1t
was a painful effort, for the icicles were
now as much in the way as the sand and
stones. They were like spikes projecting
| upward from the rocks, between which they