Litchfield enquirer., 1877-04-05

pleasant house, on a pretty garden, witf
 palms and other tropical trees, but it is tvery h0sE Iawish some of our Litchield CTS could be along, but have so many ac quaintances that feel as much at home
 as in New York. Am now going cut to Iget some money and be ready to star
 for the City tonight. AFTERNOON .--Goi
 my money, and have seen the
 American Consul; also the Captain of the
 American Ship Essex, who says he will
 take me to the fort.
 HOTEL IrURBDE, MExrco,l
 SATURDAY NIGHT. Mar. 3d, 1877. |
 I wrote you from Vera Cruz
 and after spending very pleasant day
 there with my friends, left by rail. at I2. 30
 midnight, for this city. The ears were
 crowded, and ~skhs temperature extremely
 warm. though by the time we reached the
 elevation of Cordova. found my over.
 coat very comfortable thing.
 The coaches are of different kinds;
 some with compartments after the English
 custom, but the one found myself in,
 was constructed as on our railroads. with
 the seats somewhat shorter, and. furnished
 with movable head-boards of a foot in
 width. We were supplied with small
 through-ticket and paper indicating
 our trunk. on which heavy tax was charged. each passenger being allowed
 but thirtY-fve poundsbaggage.
 Tn calling for tickets, the conductor pas- ses down on one side and then on the other, instead of examining each side of the passage. There being two on seat, of course tbere was little sleep. And un- til daylight the journey was tedious in the extreme. The road passes through Cor. dova. Orizaba, and Huamantla, leaving the Peak of Oirzaba on the. right, and the City of Puebla some 20 miles on the left. Daylight found us in full view of Orizaba, Tn all it's majestic height, and from the town of that name, the grade increases very rapidly, but it would be useless for me to attempt description of the grand mountain scenery as seen from the cars, as they move along. Were three or four Alltoonas piled one above the other, it might convey to the mind fair impress sion of the gorges and chasms crossed by this stupendous work. A narrow valley from Orizaba is followed for several miles. very fertile aud containing multitude of ba- mana trees. On reaching the extreme a1ti- tude at Boca del Monte. the road enters upon the great table land of Mexico. gen. orally level and extending to the city. The snowy peak of Malinche comes. in view, and to the left in the far distance appears 'tEl Volcan," whilst the white crest of Orizaba is seen many miles ln the rear. This great plain produces Indian corn and barley, but the maguey (Centu- " plant) seems to receive the most atten- ton, being the source of greatest wealth. The juice is extracted and drawn off into the pig-skins, like the new grape juice in Portugal, and, conveyed to Mexico, where it is collected into barrels, and af- ter fermentation, furnishes an efferves- cent pungent beverage. much esteemed by the whole Mexican population
 There were two English lady passen- gers, with their friends; and two young Parisians, brothers, on their travels round the world. They were extremely pleasant and intelligent gentlemen, who know how to travel and take care of themselves have visited Denver and hunted buffalos on the plain and, after this. propose to do Havanna, and then South America-to be absent from home three years.
 Along the table land the dust was in- tolerable, which, combined with the smoke of tobacco. made the journey of the day exceptionally unpleasant. The oars are divided into three classes. with three separate prices, but none are exempt rom the annoyance of the smoke Four ffths of the passengers not only smoke, but do it all the time. There is no cessa- tion, and no one is respected, not even the ladies. My throat IS almost excoria- ed from inhaling the noxious fumes for nearly twenty hours. The train is due here at six in the evening, but only arriv- sd long after dark. A baggage man, as in our country, appears in the cars, and Tor fifty cents will convey passenger and trunk to the hotel. also gave him my key for the examination of my trunk. and lonni it at my hotel in due time.
 This hotel was ones the palace, 90 call sd. of tie Emperor Itnrbide, who was and shot, and h:s property cohiscated. It is very large, md my room is spacious enough to have 'atisfied three or four ladies of his house. fold. One long tallow candle. however. ,asts such dim and spectral shadows along he lofty walls, that am half afraid his un- ortunate maiestymay appear to my trou- ,led dreams. stalking about in his bloody hroud. This is the street, that, as Captain of the a Infantry, I marched l long. on our hostile entrance in the City, n the 14th of September, 1S47, with my wrought to the highest pitch, n the anticipation of soon feasting my yes ou the famous Halls of the Montezu- mas. Our fellow travellers from New Or cans, General Mata and Benivides are low in nigh standing with the present The latter it is said will ave the portfolio of finance The lat CT was in Acapulco when the steamer ohm l.. Stewart. of the Pacific line, at- empted to run the blockade of that port, aeneral Mata being at that time in exile y command of Santa Anna who had as- umed the title of ''Highness, claim successfully resisted by the revolutionists. bur hotel I fiud is conducted fully on the European plan, extra charge being made or candles. and before my ablutions,I I was fe1 rrn,A &-A Al.