Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-10-22
Elic S;tE N.. NsHTic0.

E'le s'its o. Mexico.
| Correspondence of the Alexandria Ga2ETT,:l
CITY OF MEXICO, Get 13tl, 1SS6.--This,
the capital of the sacica! Aztec empire lies
il the torrid zone near The 10Th Of north
latitude, aud has an elevation Of 1871 feet
above the level Of the sea. hence The climate
is very mild all the yea: ya. there is :
very wet and a very dry season which makes
it unhealthy. The vale. Of Mexico is about
40 by SO miles square. and contains a mum
ter Of salt and fresh water Jake Tia cani.
tai is situated near The centre Of Ii.e valley
and near one o. the largest lakes: and It has
often been inundated 4; one tins the
overilo" lasted Eve years. This is Tie close
! ol the rainy season, yet il ) GcnmCn to see
people in the heart of tho city 5ailiIg cut
their houses mot cellars for there a!o nona
here. The valley is entirely surrounded
by mountains, the highest peal: being that
of the volcano Popocetepet. Il is in plain
view from the city and is covered with snow
at all times The ascent to the edge Of The
crater is said 10 lie long, cold and difficult
trip, set for the benefit Of our readers we
hope TO make the journey, after which we
Will describe all IL full
The Aztecs entered the valley about
the end Of the thirteenth century, and
| founded the ancient city Of Tem0chti,lan
| It was go called from the command which
| they had received from their oracle, net 10
found their capita! unit they should come
to place where they should see an eagle
standing upon q rock. After loug wander
ing they sew the long looked for eagle in
the valley of Mexico standing on ii cactus
that grew upon a rock, so accordingly they
established their capital here, and gave it
the above name, which signifies an eagle and
| cactus upon rock. And siECe then thi5
with a serpent in the eagles beak has been
the emblem OF Mexico, and is now found
| upon the lag and coin OF the country, The
rule Of the AZteCs lasted until 1921, when
the city was captured by Cortes, and entire
| ly destroyed. So complete w&a the destruc
ton then. and the ravage OF time since, tina.
! there is not a single ruin Of the ancient city
to be seen ut the present day. After The
| conquest the modern city was founded by
Cortes, and called Mexico after the name o;
the war-god Of the AZtecs, Mexiti.
The Spaniards ruled the country foy 800
years or until 1920 and all we sec now here
s the result Of their work The city has i
population of about 100000, most of whom
are of Aztec origin, and many OF them yet
speak the ancient language of the
AZtecs. III fact the people, their houses
aud manner Of living, also their religion, is
Il mixture CT modern and ancient Aztec
ways. The streets sre swept hy hand with
bunch Of wild stiff grass CT rushes, and sci.
dom have ii handle 10 the broom. The
| houses are without stoves or chimncys and
about eight lenths have 10 windows.
Churches, public offices. and the houses Of
the better class arc eli very gcony and
poorly lighte& the door beiug !bu only
ans oi light sud ventilation, and when it
L.. the doors are closed and the candies
are IL being very expensive aGd by most
people Ut used. Our system Of water
works 10 tin i'll the republic, but in this
city there are many fountains from which the
aquadoses (water mem carry the water in
large three handled earthen jars 10 supply
the city. The most OF the city transier is
| done by cargadores, who carry their bur.
dens on their backs,as described il former
letter. Here, too, hundreds OF tho native
women are seen passing at al! hours IL all
| parts OF the city with burdens on their backs.
and about two.thirdS of the population 90
| bare-foOtcd. Men and women are often
seen naked from lh" weist up, and other
! scenes too shameful 10 mention here are
seen at all hours in all parts Of tbe
city In the quarters Of the rcor
they usually sleep on mats spread OH the
| dirt or stone floors, and in some OF the ma
sons ipublic lodging houses) We see both
sexes Of al ages sleeping il open sheds or
pass ways, among cattle aud donkeys. Ap.
pleton in his guide book says this class, Us a
rule, never slept on bed, and can neither
read nor write, ard never had an ancestor
that did either. As rule, this class is q
very polite, humble AND praying set Of
creatures, yet very immoral, uutrutbful and
dishonest. They have an unbouuded faith
in the efficacy of prayer, and the mercy Of
God 10 pardon them in all cases because Of
! their own weakness. They have their idols
and church images badly mixed, and day
| does not pass without the offering Of 8 pray.
! er to each. They believe III the supernatu.
raj power Of sacred relics, and We see III
many OF the churches written statements
with small painting relating and i!lustra
ting the performance Of 4 miracle, with date
aud name of person given, also the image
that appeared on the occasion.
In TIE museum there are hundreds Of Az
tee idols Many are the same as We tind to-
day in the private houses, and sometimes IN
the churches They are of all sizes, from
that OF q doll TO human giant. IL appear
ance they represent many different and very
opposite traits of character. Some appear like
ministers of vengeance while others seem
to have q good natured grin that would
seem to grant almost anything, and others
seem to embody all that is low and vicious
in the human makeup. Some are part hu
man and part lower animal, while others
are seemingly dead The farmer msy s;ave
represented one stage in the transmigration
of souls, but what usn they could make Q! /,
dead god is hard 10 surmise There are
also numerous earhen jars similar to those
in usa now in MeSico and g. larpe coilao