The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-01-31
1Mar;nn

as writer's delight to call it-where Mon
tezuma reigned and died, amid civiIiza-
ton almest eqnalling that of ancient
Rome or Athens, with a population
greater at the time of the Spanish con-
quest than that of any known city, with
an Incompatible climate lying among
mountains grander than Mount Blanc,
and possessed of untold wealth-we ex-
tract the following respecting its subur-
ban drives
The suburbs of Mexico are not by any
means beautiful, always of course ex-
cepting the rock and grove of Chapulte-
pee. Just where the houses end, stands
the statue of Charles IV.,.sthe King of
Spain whose legs were SO strong that he
could squeeze a horse until it was breath
less. Luckily he is not represented In
this act, and the sculptor has succeeded
IN making one of the best equestrian
statues in the world. From this point
there is straight drive called the CALI
apa de Ia Rerorma, leading to Chapul-
tepec, which looks at the distance not
unlike Windsor Castle when viewed
from the other end of the famous Long
Walk. Here in the afternoons all Mex
leo turns out to drive in carriages or to
ride on horseback The carriages here
are almost all made in Paris, and are,
with the exception of a few Victorias,
altogether closed. The reason given
for this is that there is rainy season of
three months, and consequently during
the other nine months of the year the
inhabitants are obliged to use carriages
only for wet weather. AS it is 1mpoS-
sible to see into these carriages when
they are in motion, they are. drawn up
in lines every now and then so that the
occupants can have good view of their
friends as they pass. The equestrian
part of the promenaders is divided into
two classes, those in English and those
in Mexican saddles. 1t would be- con-
sidered very bad form for person rid
ing in an English saddle to dress in The
Mexican style, but when mounted on a
Mexican horse and in Mexican saddle
the proper dress is the leather trousers,
jacket, and sonabrero. The Mexican
''swen' is as particular about the number
of buttons down the outside of his trous-
ers, the size of his SonabrerO, and the
hang of his sword, as an English fox
hunter is about the cut of his cords or
the SpOtlessness of his boots. Many la
dies also ride, but they generally go out
early in the morning when there are no
carriages in the Paseo. Half way be-
tween the statue of Charles ". and
Chapultepee there is q '.eircle,'' in the
middle of which a statue has been erect
ed to Christopher Columbus, and here /
the view of the two volcanoes, with the
rays of the setting sun tinting their
snoW-elad SUBMITS with delicate rose
color, is remarkably fine. A row of
trees has been planted at either side OF
this drive, andthey are quickly growing
up; at present there is no shade and
great deal of dust, for the watering cart
has not yet reached Mexico. However,
men carry some water in buckets and
sprinkle it over the dust, which is gen
orally about six inches in depth, but the
results are scarcely satisfactory. 1t was
along, this drive that Gen. Grant electri-
fed the Americans by driving in the
late Emperor Iturbide's carriage, with
Prince Imperial Frederick at his side
and his uniformed attendants oppo-
site.
The fashionable drive does not extend
rs far as the castle of Chapultepec, but
turn round mile before reach
ing it. Magnificent expresses still exist
at this noted place, forming wonder |
ful canopy with their enormous branch |
es hanging with long fringes of gray |
Spanish moss. This palace, which was
erected in 1885 upon the very spot |
where the palace.of Montezuma former |
" stood, is now an astronomical Observ- |
atory, and is, like everything in Mexico, |
in very bad repair. The view is, how |
ever, still Just as fine, and the whole |
valley of Mexico, with its lakes, fields of
waving corn, and blue fringe Of noun
.ains in the distance, forms a landscape, |
IF wonderful beauty and interest The |
aqueduct which used to sup |
ply the inhabitants of Mexico with clear
spring water, so different from the black
sh water of the lake, is being pulled
Town and the less picturesque but more
useful water-pipes are now laid in the
road leading into the city. The deseen.
1ants of apeople who destroyed the most
relics of the past can scarce
y be expected to revere the works o.
heir own forefathers.
Not far from Chapultepec is Molina
lei Rey, where Grant gained his first
ieutenancy. and where brother of Mrs.
Grant was shot during the Mexican war.
lust beyond lies Tacubaya, a little fash
enable suburb. dotted with several hand
ome residences of wealthy Mexicans.
Unfortunately, it is n favorite resort fol-
and the Inhabitants cannot
tut their noses, outside their doors after
unset. The military school, which
was at Ghapultcpec, is now at
racubaya, in what was once the Arch
bishops palace; but this docs not seem
o brighten the robbers.