Notes on Mexico in 1825 [pp. 401-411]

THE
COMMERCIAL REVIhEW.
Volume V. IIAY and JUNE, lS4S. Nos. 5 and 6.
d........
ART. I.-NOTES ON M1EXICO, IN 1825.
NOTES OF A TOUR FROM THE CITY OF MEXICO TO THZCCCO, OTUMBA AND
ZEMPOALLA, WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF TLE CTJLTUIRE OF THE MAGUEY OP
AGUI2E AMERICANO, AND OF THE MANNER OF MANUFACTURING PULQUE'
TOGETHER WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THE PYRAMIDS OF TEOT11HUACAN.
[The following article has been placed at our disposal by the Hon. Jot.
R. POINSETT. It has not been included in his "Notes on Mexicof' or in
any other publication. As our knowledge of that country must be derived
from those having the best opportunities to impart it, whether of former
or more recent periods, we feel assured that the readers of the Review
will value a fragment so interesting. While United States' Minister, Mr,.
Poinsett had facilities for examnation, which a time of peace and good
will between the two countries was best calculated to afford.-EDITOR,]
])ecember 25th, 1825-Left Mexico at half-past nine o'clock; fine
view of'the volcanoes; mountains rising gradually from each side 6f
the road; passed the gap and turned to the left over the bed of the
lake, following thp road which runs upon its edge; change of scenery;
cultivated fields; passed several haciendas on the right of the roadSta Martha and Santa Magdalene the largest; passed the village of
Chiqulaopa seven leagues from Mexico and near Quantlalpa; about
a mile further, stopped and inquired the names of these villages from
an intelligent old Indian; supposed of course that we were going to
the cock-fight at Tezeuco; lamented the death of the finest cock ever
reared, carried off by a "Coyote;" would not have taken twenty
"'duros"' for it; begged us to wait until he brought out a special fine
one that he was training; put it on the ground that we might see its
height; and we left him with his foot upon the jesses, admiring the
beauty of his bird.
The beauty and cultivation of the valley increased as we came
nearer to Tezcuco; shortly before entering the gate, passed the ha cienda of Chapingo, belonging to the Marquis of Vivanco; the bridge
of Bergantines, a few yards from the gate, where Cortes is supposed
to have launched his vessels; lake filled up, the nearest point now
four or five wiles from Tezeuco, but the whole of that space bearing
bOL. v.-28