The Prisoners of Perote (A Firsthand Account of the Mier Expedition).

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1845. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... 151 CHAPTER XXV. The Alameda--Santa Anna--The Passco Nuovo--Bull-fights--Depa rturo from Mexico--The corpse and cross--Town of Perote--Visit to the Castle--Sufferings of the prisoners--Their memorial to Mr. Bankhead--Their liberation--Mr. Navarro. If the stranger would see the rank, beauty, wealth, and style of the capital to advantage, he must stroll west to the Alameda, about four o'clock in the afternoon. Passing through a street almost entirely filled by French jewellers, French fancy shops, modistes and artistes, he comes upon a beautiful grove of twelve or fifteen acres, planted with the noblest trees of the southern forests, and filled with the rarest shrubbery and flowers. A stone wall encircles this delicious retreat, which is entered through gates, that are opened and closed morning and evening by janitors appointed to the care of them. Gravelled walks and winding paths intersect it in every direction, and marble fountains, in secluded nooks, fling up their silvery jets d'eau, that mingle their falling murmurs with the'melody of numerous birds inhjbiting the wood. A statue of Liberty, surrounded by spouting lions, surmounts the central fountain, whilst tasteful stone seats every where invite the visiter to repose. Within its quiet and druidical recesses, you encounter the sable mourner and sentimental amanle, drawn hither to luxuriate in melting revery, over buried and newborn affection; or, the student and merchant, to refresh their energies by an hour's walk amongst its genial shades. A broad carriage-road runs round the interior wall, and net a belle of Mexico but is here every evening, chatting and flirting from her dashing equipage, with the numerous cavaliers who throng it, on superb and splendidly equipped-horses. Slowly the beauty and chivalry ...