Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1883-06-18
Letter from Mexico.


Having occasion IA few days since to
visit Vera Cruz, the salient features of
that much described route struck me
more forcibly than on any previous oc-
casion.
Travellers do not love Vera Cruz ex-
cept in winter; her dreaded enemy,
however, "Yel.ow Jack" has really
all seasons for his own, and is much
more terrible in the imagination Of
visitors than in the reality Of his vista
tions to actual residents. A year ago,
on arriving from New York, inquired
for gentleman to whom had letters,
and was conducted to his room in the
principal hotel, where he was lying i'll
with yellow fever. No one seemed to
consider that there was any risk of
catching the disease 1t is not regarded
rs contagious, and is rarely epidemic.
Nevertheless, to repeat, new corners
hastily shake from their feet the dust
of Vera Cruz, and hurry to the English
Il. Il. station as soon as released from
rustom-house red tape. On steamer
days, IA passenger car to OriZaba is at
lached to the IL o'clock freight train,
and perspiring strangers gladly turn
their eyes toward the faint outline of
mountains in the west Near the city
the meadows and slopes are green, but
the absence Of tropical or luXuriant
vegetation is noticeable and indicates
the strength of hurricanes which
habitually sweep the gulf at certain
seasons. Farther inland we enter
genuine inngies, well-ppopled, mo doubt,
by the usual reptiles and beasts of prey.
As night apr aches, the grades become
sleeper, atiording from hillside curves
wider views of forest and plains, or of
lovely valleys with rushing brooks one
OF the latter is crossed by marvellous
bridge, springing into mid air from a
tunne at either end. Your celebrated
Pennsylvania horseshoe seems
tame in comparison with the engineer
ing wonders of this road. We are now
in the midst of mountains, and can see
little except their precipitous sides.-
Just at dark, the slow train craws into
the station called Orizaba, the city itself
lying at some distance totally con-
ceaed by intervening trees except as to
its graceful domes and church towers.
The atmospheric contrast with Vera
Cruz is delightful half-hour coach
ride brings you to the Hotel de Dill
gencias," whose welcoming portal leads
to cool galleries surrounding garden
Of tropical flowers, and in one of these
wide corridors the white-clad dining
tables are waiting for you, served by
the Partisan proprietor in the style of
his native city. Has the world discov-
cred anything better-in purely ply
steal sense? An early morning walk
was especially enjoyable !; green moun-
tains overhang the city green trees
shade well the streets and turning a
sudden corner | met my divinity face
to face-the crest of Mount OriZaha
towering grandly into the sky, her body
concealed by nearer elevations. Long
had worshipped her at a distance, but
in four previous journeys attendant
clouds had yelled her charms, and |
was permitted merely to touch with my
eyes the hem of her snowy garments
but now was displayed the clear outline
Of her dazzling beauty carrying through
the sense of sight indelible love for ma
lures wonders and reverence for ma
lures God.
The glorious vision attended our rail-
road train northward for eighty miles,
until the white crowns Of Mexico City's
guardians were visible in the contrary
direction. The courtesy of Mr.. Shirley,
of the Vera Cruz road,
had placed at my disposal an entire de-
partment in the English COACH so that
he ride rivalled In comfort the far famed
10 ,,F A ', D,l
ears. Climbing the steep mountain
side between Orizaba and Esperanza-
where the valley and village Of Maitrata
IRE displayed thousands of feet d-
'rrtly below, we emerge from the differ
nj grades and numerous tunnels upon
nigh, dusty plains, and tn" remainder of
,nr journey is comparatively monoto
lOuS.
Fortunately, however, romance is at
land to-day to relieve the monoto1y f;
Vt one of he town stations, handsome
,0ung Mexican boarded the train, aC-
by IL priest in his official
Testments from the young mans air
If Impotence, badly concealed happl-
less, and hurried snatrhes of CONVERSE
ion with his companion, one Could
,asily guess on what rrrand they were
pound. So was not surprised to see a
amily carriage awaiting them at a
stopping place in the country, and for
EN- miles | watched their course with
our galloping mules, toward the base
If Popocatapett, pictlring in my mind
heir reception at one ofthe magnificent
lacendas in the distance. Joy to the
,ride. b. II. c.