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sin is gambling. Female virtue is on the same low level as in old Spain; but the Mexican ladies are better educated, and would be agreeable, but for the practice of smoking, which is bad enough in men, but intolerable in women. (Poinsett's Notes, p. 160.)

Tenochtitlan, the original city, as before remarked, was built on a group of small islands, in Lake Tezcuco; and was connected with the main land by three principal causeways. These still exist, and form at present paved ways over the extensive marshes of the vicinity, and protect the city from inundations, which are not unfrequent, and against an enemy they have hitherto been found convenient and useful. Mexico, when first discovered by the Spaniards, was a rich and populous city; the seat of the Aztec dynasty, religion and trade. According to Cortez, it was as large as Seville or Cordova, was well-built, and well supplied with various products. It was taken by the Spaniards in 1521, after a protracted siege, in the course of which it was nearly destroyed. It subsequently suffered much during the revolutionary struggle, and in 1847 was captured by the United States' forces, under Gen. Scott; and remained, uninjured however, in the hands of the Americans, until the return of peace.

TLALPAN is the capital of the state. It is a town of little note otherwise. ACAPULCO is a celebrated seaport on the western coast, and the harbor is one of the finest in the world. Latitude 15° 50′ 29′′ north, longitude 990 46' west. Population, 4,000 or 5,000. "It is familiar," says Captain Hall, "to the memory of most people, from its being the port whence the rich Spanish galleons of former days took their departure, to spread the wealth of the Western over the Eastern world. It is celebrated, also, in Anson's delightful voyage, and occupied a conspicuous place in the very interesting accounts of the Buccaniers; to a sailor, therefore, it is classic ground in every sense. I cannot express the universal professional admiration excited by a sight of this celebrated port, which is, moreover, the very beau-ideal of a harbor. It is easy of access; very capacious; the water not too deep; the holding-ground good; quite free from hidden dangers; and as secure as the basin in Portsmouth dock-yard. From the interior of the harbor the sea cannot be discovered, and a stranger, coming to the spot by land, would imagine he was looking over a sequestered mountainlake."―(South America, ii. 172.) There are two entrances to this splendid basin, one on each side of the small island of Roqueta or Grifo, the broadest being 13 miles across, and the other 700 or 800 feet. The town, commanded by strong forts, is small and mean, and the place lost all its importance with the loss of the Spanish trade. The climate is unhealthy. Some trade is yet carried on between Acapulco and Guayaquil, Callao, &c.; but owing to the tediousness of the voyage, this intercourse is circumscribed within narrow limits.

There are many other towns and villages in this thickly-populated state, but the length to which the description of the capital, &c., has been extended, precludes the possibility of mentioning them in detail.

Throughout this state there is much to interest. Everywhere it presents the most magnificent scenery, and remains of a splendid past. Its ancient cities and antique mementos are full of instruction, and when contrasted with its present degradation and humiliated position, leads the mind to saddened reflections on the instability of human greatness. Aye, the mighty are fallen-where the proud Aztec once swayed, and where an imperial name gave importance to power, is now the abode of a nation, whose crouching position attracts the finger of scorn to the shores of the western world! The wreck is complete, but the shame is its own.

THE STATE OF QUERETARO.

THIS is the smallest state in the republic, having an area of only 7,500 square miles; but it is by no means the least important. High above the level of the ocean, and with a fine soil and climate, it enjoys many immunities and advantages of which other states are destitute. It is little broken by hills or ravines, and it has scarcely an acre but is capable of cultivation. The valley of the Rio Panuco, which forms its eastern boundary, is extremely fertile, and productive of all the fruits of temperate countries; in many parts the state is covered with forests, and its mines are equal to most others in productiveness and wealth. The total population may be about 125,000, more or less.

QUERETARO, the capital, lies in a rich and fertile valley, and is 110 miles north-east of the city of Mexico. Latitude 20° 36′ 39′′ N., and longitude 100° 10' 15" W. Population 95,000. It is a well built city with three large squares, many handsome public and private edifices, and the usual excess of churches and convents. The Franciscan monastery is spacious, and surrounded with extensive gardens; and the convent of Santa Clara is an immense building, inhabited by 120 females, including many young ladies sent thither for education. The streets have side walks, laid with flags of porphyry; the city is well supplied with water, brought to it by an aqueduct about 10 miles in length, carried across the valley upon 60 arches.

Queretaro is divided into five parishes, four of which are within the city and one forms the suburbs. It has quite the air of a large manufacturing town, and enjoys an extensive trade both in foreign and domestic commodities. The large body of the people are employed in the factories and are badly paid, and suffer much from the nefarious system which obtains, not only in this city but throughout Mexico. Woollen manufactories are the most numerous, but trade of all kinds has retrograded since the expulsion of the Spaniards.

"The wool," says Ward, "is brought principally from the northern states, Zacatecas and San Luis Potosi; its price fluctuates from 16 to 24 reals the arroba of 25 lbs., including carriage; but the wool most esteemed is the produce of the state itself. It acquires its value, not from any superiority in the breed of the Queretaro sheep, but from the circumstances of the flocks being so much smaller than those of the north that they can be better attended to, fed in richer pastures, and kept more clear from thorns, which deteriorates the fleece. This wool sells at 31 dollars (or 30 reals) the arroba."-(Ward's Mexico, ii. 183-'4.)

Queretaro was the temporary seat of the supreme government after the occupation of the capital by the United States forces in 1847, and there the treaty of peace, concluded 2d February, 1848, at Guadalupe Hidalgo, was ratified by the National Congress, 1848.

Pasco, San Juan del Rio, San Miguel, Alpujarras, &c., are towns in this state, but have nothing to commend them to further notice.

This state, like those of Vera Cruz and Mexico, was visited by the United States forces under General Scott, in the campaign of 1847; but with the exception of San Juan del Rio, and a few other places, was never occupied. It, therefore, felt little of the inconveniences of war. The state has been noted for its loyalty to the constitution, and was one of the confederacy ned during the war in opposition to a dishonorable peace.

THE STATE OF PUEBLA.

THE chief portion of this state is situated on the high table-land of Mexico, and, except a small strip bordering on the Pacific Ocean, enjoys a fine climate, and such a distribution of vale and mountain as to render it one of the most productive and wealthy states of the confederation. It is bounded on the west by the state of Mexico, and on the east and south-east by those of Vera Cruz and Oaxaca. The area is 18,440 square miles, and the population has been estimated at 661,902 inhabitants. The celebrated volcanoes, Popocatepetl, 17,735, and Orizaba, 17,388 feet above the level of the sea, are within the borders of Puebla. Popocatepetl and Orizaba are the highest points in North America, excepting Mount St. Elias.

LA PUEBLA, the capital, distant about 70 miles from the city of Mexico, stands on the declivity of a hill, and lies in latitude 19° 15′ north, and longitude 98° 2′ 30′′ west. It is a compact and uniformly-built city. The streets, though not very wide, are straight, and intersect each other at right angles. The houses, of stone, are generally two stories high, with flat roofs, having mostly a court in the centre, surrounded by open galleries and a fountain of water, conveyed thither through earthen pipes. Many have iron balconies on the street, and their fronts are inlaid with highly-glazed tiles, or else gaudily and tastefully painted. The apartments are spacious, and are commonly paved with porcelain, and their walls are adorned in fresco.

Puebla is a perfect hot-bed of priests, and has no less than 69 churches, nine monasteries, 13 nunneries, and 23 colleges. The churches are sumptuous in the extreme. Those of Rome, Geneva and Milan, are, perhaps, built in better taste; but in expensive interior decorations, the quantity and value of the ornaments of the altar, and the richness of the vestments, they are far surpassed by the churches of Mexico and Puebla. The cathedral, which forms one side of the principal square, has nothing remarkable in its exterior, but its interior is very rich. The high altar, which, however, is too large for the building, is particularly splendid. Several of the other churches are handsome, and, with the cathedral, abound in gold and silver ornaments, paintings, statues, &c. The bishop's palace has a library 200 feet in length, which has a tolerable collection of Spanish and French books.

La Puebla is governed by four alcaldes and 16 subordinate magistrates. Its market is well supplied with all sorts of provisions, except fish. Many of the inhabitants are wealthy, and have handsome carriages, drawn by mules; but, like the capital, the city swarms with beggars. This city was formerly famous for its manufactures of coarse woollens, cottons, glass, earthenware, soap, &c., but most of these have declined, with the decrease of the trade formerly carried on with Acapulco, Callao, and other ports of the Pacific. The manufactures of glass and earthenware, however, keep up their reputation, and the soap made here is sent to all parts of the republic. The city was founded and fostered by the Spaniards.

CHOLULA, eight miles west of Puebla, and an old Aztec city, though fallen from its ancient grandeur, retains many of the attributes of splendor and wealth. Cortez, at the commencement of the 16th century, compared

it to the largest cities of Spain, but since the rise of Puebla its interests have retrograded. It contains many churches, and has regular and broad streets; the houses are mostly of one story, and flat-roofed. Cholula has some manufactures. But it derives more interest from its antiquities than its present position among the cities. The principal extant relic of its ancient grandeur is a huge pyramid or teocalli, to the east of the town, now covered with prickly-pear, cypress, and other evergreen shrubs, and looks at a distance like a natural conical-shaped hill. As it is approached, however, it is seen to consist of four distinct pyramidical stories, the whole built with alternate layers of clay and sun-dried bricks, and crowned with a small church. According to Humboldt, each side of its base measures 439 metres, (1,440 feet,) being almost double the base of the great pyramid of Cheops; its height, however, is only 50 metres, (164 feet.) It appears to have been constructed exactly in the direction of the cardinal points. The ascent to the platform on the summit is by a flight of 120 steps. This elevated area comprises 4,200 square metres, (15,069 feet.) The chapel erected on it is in the shape of a cross, about 90 feet in length, with two towers and a dome. It was dedicated to the Virgin by the Spaniards, and has succeeded to a temple of Quetzalcoatl, the god of the air. This pyramidal pile is, however, conjectured to have served for a cemetery as well as for the purposes of religion; and Humboldt, and other authorities, regard it as bearing a remarkable analogy to the temple of Belus, and other oriental structures. The Indians believe it to be hollow, and have a tradition, that, during the abode of Cortez at Cholula, a number of armed warriors were concealed within it, who were to have fallen suddenly on the Spanish army. At all events it is certain that Cortez, having some suspicion, or information of such a plot, unexpectedly assaulted the citizens of Puebla, 6,000 of whom were killed. In making the present road from Puebla to Mexico, the first story of this pyramid was cut through, and a square chamber discovered, destitute of an outlet, supported by beams of cypress, and built in a remarkable way, every succeeding course of bricks passing beyond the lower, in a manner similar to some rude substitutes for the arch, met with in certain Egyptian edifices. In this chamber two skeletons, some idols in basalt, and some curiously-varnished and painted vases, were found.

There are, also, some other detached masses of clay and unburnt brick, in the immediate vicinity of Cholula, in one of which, apparently an ancient fortress, many human bones, earthenware, and weapons of the ancient Mexicans, have been found. The view from the great pyramid, embracing the Cordillera, the volcanoes of La Puebla, and the cultivated plain beneath, is both extensive and magnificent. Cholula is surrounded by cornfields, aloe plantations, and neatly-cultivated gardens.

MALDONADO is an insignificant port on the Pacific, and contains scarcely 500 inhabitants. There are several other large towns and villages in this state, the principal of which are HUAMANTLA, NAPOLUCAN, &c., and the CASTLE OF PEROTE, SO celebrated in the annals of Mexico, as the last home of many of her gallant sons, who have either pined in its dungeons or been murdered by the political power of the day. This fortress is situated in the middle of an extensive plain, and is considered as one of the strongest in the world. It is the national prison of the republic, where all political offenders are incarcerated.

THE TERRITORY OF TLASCALA.

THOUGH situated within the state of Puebla, this territory enjoys some immunities superior to the adjacent parts, and though not represented as an independent state, is generally described separately from all others. It was formerly the seat of an empire, but nominally subject to the Aztecs, and greatly assisted the Spaniards in the conquest of the country; hence their peculiar privileges. Area, about 100 square miles.

TLASCALA, the only city within the territory, lies south of Puebla, "The town of Tlascala," says Malte-Brun, "was formerly a species of federative republic. Each of the four hills, on which it was built, had its own cacique or war-chief; but these depended on a senate, chosen by the whole nation. The subjects of this republic are said to have amounted to 150,000 families. This nation, which enjoys some peculiar privileges, is at present reduced to 40,000 persons, who inhabit about a hundred villages. One would almost feel disposed to think that a fatal destiny avenges on their heads the crime of having assisted Cortez in subjugating the independence of Mexico."-(Syst. of Univ. Gcog., Lib. lxxxv.)

THE STATE OF OAXACA.

THIS large state lies immediately south and west of Vera Cruz, and fronts on the Pacific. Its area is 32,650 square miles, and its population upwards of 500,000.

This fertile region abounds in mulberry trees, cultivated for the sake of the silk worm. A great deal of cotton, corn, cocoa and other fruits grow here, but the cochineal constitutes its principal wealth. Its granite mountains conceal mines of gold, silver and lead, which, however, are neglected Several rivers bring down gold dust, which the women are employed in collecting. Rock crystal is likewise met with. The country has numerous rivers, but the only one of importance is that on which Tehuantepec stands, and which will eventually become a place of great prosperity if the proposed inter-oceanic communication is ever completed.

OAXACA or Guaxaca, the capital, on the Rio Verde, lies in latitude 17° 5' N., and longitude 97° 8' W., and has a population of 40,000. It is built in the form of a parallelogram, about two miles in length and one and a half in breadth, including the suburbs, which are laid out in gardens and planted with nopal trees. The streets, which are broad, straight, and well paved, are lined with good houses of a greenish kind of stone; and on the whole it is the neatest, cleanest and most regular built city in Mexico. The public buildings are in general handsome, solidly constructed and richly decorated; the town hall, the cathedral and bishop's palace form three sides of the principal square. There are several churches and convents, and numerous fountains are supplied with water conveyed by aqueducts across the valley from the neighboring hills of San Felipe. The climate is peculiarly good, the thermometer seldom falling below 63° or rising higher than 78; but it is exposed to earthquakes, and suffered considerably from the last which occurred in Mexico. Oaxaca was founded by Nuno del

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