ing to reproduce the malady or not. In manying too many things, and exhorting them to confine chronic ailments, removable causes are thus often their attention to one thing. Now, up to a cerleft in full operation, while the effect is partially tain time, he considered that this was bad advice. mitigated, but not cured, by the use of active med- He did not think that this should be the foundation icines, and in a short time the whole evil returns of culture to those to whom literature was a secin its full force. Whereas, if proceeding accord-ondary thing. They should in early life gather in ing to the order of nature, we can trace the dis- a variety of knowledge—form, as it were, a good ease to any error in the mode of life, to any ex- weft-and then inweave the particular study which ternal source of danger, or internal peculiarity of after-life required should be the pattern on the constitution, aggravated by either of these two cloth. For a literary man, he need not say how conditions, we can convince the patient of the fact, necessary total culture was. He had before proand give him a rational and confiding interest in tested against fractional studies, as contradistinthe changes which we may recommend, and thus guished from a subdivision of labor in teaching. not only promote his recovery, but render him To exhort people to cultivate one branch of knowlproof against all the seductions of quackery. Ac-edge to the exclusion of everything else, was like cording to the prevailing kind of intercourse urging one man to direct his efforts solely to the between patient and physician, namely, unhesita- strengthening of his right arm, another of his left, ting dictation on the one hand, and ignorant obe- a third of his feet, and so on. One man recomdience on the other, blind faith is the pivot on mended you to cultivate the exact sciences only, which their mutual connexion turns-a faith and hence society had been supplied with men who which is thus necessarily at the mercy of the were mathematicians only-men whose gospel was chapter of accidents, and is often supplanted by a right angle, and whose religion was a circle. In reliance on the first bold and confident quack who other cases, men had become so engrossed with a comes in the way. People wonder that quackery particular study, that they would spend an enormous abounds, and medical men ask for power from the amount of time in settling the quantity of a Greek legislature to put it down. They themselves, syllable, and write most elaborate treatises on the however, are in no small degree its abettors, and Greek digamma. A fully-cultured man could turn they have the remedy already to a great extent, his attention to anything; and, when fully culalthough not wholly, in their own hands. If they tured, he should turn to the division of labor which who are educated, and should know better, accus- stern necessity imposed upon him. Sometimes, tom their patients to the principles of quackery, however, natural propensity would come in to by themselves treating them empirically, can they check this. Nevertheless, we should all aim at wonder that patients who are not professionally what the Germans called ' many-sidedness;' so educated, and are trained and treated on purely that, whichever way we turned, there might be a empirical principals, should be as ready to listen polished side presented." to the assurances of the quack as to those of the regular practitioner, whose manner of proceeding is often so nearly allied in kind, as to present no very obvious marks of distinction from that of the UNFORTUNATELY, the results of this mischievous quack? In fact medicine, as often practised by accusation will not be terminated with the report men of undoubted respectability, is made so much of the committee, or the declaration of Mr. Webof a mystery and is so nearly allied to, if not iden- ster's innocence. The loss, however, will fall not tified with, quackery, that it would puzzle many a on Mr. Webster, but on his country. He will be rational onlooker to tell which is the one, and the smallest sufferer by this unprincipled proceedwhich the other. And this being the case, it ing. A charge which hardly obtained an hour's requires no ghost from another world to explain currency even amongst the most vicious Americans, why the profession has decidedly sunk in public and which was at once contemptuously scouted by estimation, and does not exercise that wholesome Europe, will not leave the shadow of a stain on influence on public opinion which it ought to do." the character of this great statesman.

MR. WEBSTER.

As far as

We would only add, that if a reform of medicine it reflects upon him, it will be forgotten before it to the effect contemplated by Dr. Combe is ever is refuted. But there is another character on to be brought about, the public must take a share which it will leave a terrible stigma-that of the in it. They must cease to tempt their medical nation. Whatever be its truth or falsehoodattendants into "vigorous practice" by their irra- whatever the motives which dictated its production tional eagerness to see something done. They the mere simple fact that in 1846 an American must be prepared to wait with patience to see Senator, in the heat of party altercation, accused a nature, with the proper negative as well as positive Secretary of State with peculation and embezzleassistance from man's hand and skill, regain her ment five years before, will read so strangely in healthy action. And, as a first step to this im- the page of history, and will admit of such a proved treatment of their sick friends, they must sweeping inference as to the morals and civilizaaltogether abandon that vulgar faith in doses and tion of the people, that a volume of patriotic eulobleedings which has so long been-we speak in gies will never counterbalance it. If ever there all soberness-a scourge to our race.

was a nation on whom the strictest watchfulness in matters of this sort was incumbent, it is that of the United States.

SHOULD STUDY BE CONFINED TO ONE SUBJECT? The object of the attack in this instance hapIn a series of lectures on the study of German pens to be secure enough; but the mischief to the Literature, delivered at Manchester by Mr. George national character, from the avowal and circulation Dawson of Birmingham, the following remarks of such a charge as this against a gentleman who (quoted from the Manchester Examiner's report) has done as much as any man living to raise his are made :-"Sometimes you heard men warning countrymen in the respect of others, is almost irrepeople against a dissipation of study, against study- parable.-Times, June 2.

From the Union.

THE LA PLATA WAR.

UNITED STATES SHIP PLYMOUTH,

Montevideo, April 28, 1846.

WE left Gibraltar on the 28th October, arrived at Rio de Janeiro on the 3d December, left there on the 20th January, and arrived here on the 27th, since which time we have been lying quietly at anchor here, near the very spot where we lay fourteen years ago. The town looks pretty much the same as then; the same landing, (wharf painted red;) part of it covered, where we have often stood out of the rain; the same wheel (hoisting machine) which we have often turned, while waiting for the market boat to go off.

documents that passed between the English, French, and Argentine ministers during the last year, which will guide you into the affairs as they now exist. I will begin by stating that about six or eight years ago the French, as you are well aware, blockaded Buenos Ayres, as a measure to force that government to indemnify some Frenchmen for some spoliation, said to have been committed upon them by Rosas. At that period all was tranquillity in the river. Oribe was President, and Rivera commander in chief of the troops of the independent province of Banda Oriental, (Montevideo its capital.) Rosas was then, as now, governor, or as you may say, dictator of the province of Buenos Ayres; and, they say, ruled as a scourge; but that was their own look-out. Other nations had nothing to do with it. The Titus' Hotel is still kept as an hotel, but much | French continued the blockade, and made many enlarged. There are also several other hotels prizes, which were taken into Montevideo for conkept principally by Frenchmen. No improveinents demnation. Oribe refused permission to have have been made in the streets or in the heart of them condemned in his port, and this, they say, the city, but outside the wall, a large number of was the first cause of French interference in this buildings are erected-almost a second town. A place. That is the ostensible one. Montevideo Protestant church has also been erected, but what contained at that time, as now, several thousands was called the English burying ground is a com- of French Basques and Italians; a strong faction plete ruin a mere common. Several slight wharfs was created against Oribe; and these foreigners have been lately commenced, just outside of the were induced to take up arms and throw themselves old one, and a few large storehouses erected near in the arms of Rivera, who, already at the head the water. These are all the improvements; of the native troops, (mostly blacks,) thus found therefore, if you still retain any recollection of the himself in sufficient power to usurp the governplace, you will at once be able to fancy yourself in ment. Oribe was soon obliged to fly. Some kind every part of it, and be astonished at the little of an election took place, and Rivera proclaimed change fourteen years have brought to it. What President. Oribe fled to Buenos Ayres and was a difference would that period make in almost any taken under the protection of Rosas, and, I believe, corner of our blessed country. But how can any- became one of his generals. About this time, the thing prosper under such a state of affairs as French withdrew their blockade of Buenos Ayres, exists in most of the so-called republics of South having in some manner settled their affairs with America? Since our arrival here we have had Rosas; who now, they say, turned all his attenuncommonly fine weather-not even a pampero as tion towards subjugating this province, either to yet; but the season for them is fast coming on. annex it to his own, or to gain a lasting influence We expect to remain here two months longer. in its administration. Others say his ill feeling The brig Bainbridge left here for Rio on the 23d towards the province arose from its affording shelof last month. The frigate Columbia and sloop ter to a number of his countrymen who had Saratoga on the 9th inst., also for Janeiro. We become obnoxious to him, and who had joined expect the return of the Bainbridge in a few days, Rivera (who had always been his enemy) in workand we do hope she may bring orders for us to ing the Buenos Ayrean government all the ill they return home. This ship has already been in com- could. Finding all his complaints unheeded, he mission two and a half years, and her crew's term determined upon the overthrow of Rivera, who, of service is fast expiring; besides the state of our he judged, was the sole cause of all the encroachaffairs with England may make it necessary for ments on his province, and the dissensions at home our squadron to be nearer home, not only to pro- against his administration. He raised an army, tect our coast, but to put the ships in the best state and placed it under the command of Oribe, who to do service; to do so, our ship must have a new immediately landed in the upper part of this provsuit of sails and a few other necessary articles; ince and carried the country wherever he appearwith that exception, she is in splendid order, both ed, thousands joining his standard. He reentered in appearance and utility. She is admired where- as the lawful President, and his reinstatement was ever we go, and we take deep pride in keeping the sole cause of Rosas' acknowledged interferher in that order; and she is at all times ready for ence. The army moved along; and having acservice or show. The crew are in an excellent quired the full possession of the whole province, state of discipline, and although young and light- appeared under the walls of Montevideo. Had bodied men, they out-work everything we meet, Oribe then marched on, all would have been in his and will no doubt do their duty, should our services possession; but from some cause or other, he debe needed. When she returns home it would give layed. A strict defence was instituted, Rivera me real pleasure to show her to you, and to see arming all the French, Italians, and refugees from her is well worth a jaunt to either Norfolk or New Buenos Ayres. Oribe then encamped within three York. I will now give you a feeble sketch of the miles of the wall, and laid down for a regular political affairs of this river; to give an exact one, siege. Some time after, Rivera attempted to prewould be almost impossible, for there are so many vent Oribe from taking possession of Maldanado, contrary statements, beliefs, actions, &c., that it (a small port about forty miles below.) He was would be a task indeed to unravel the exact motive defeated, and obliged to fly the country, his own that has governed the different actors for the last troops at Montevideo refusing to receive him withsix or eight years. I shall, however, attempt an in the city after his defeat. The government was outline, and then send you a printed copy of official continued by the vice-president, and the siege and

defence continued on. Rosas now brought his thing more I will mention, and then have done squadron to blockade the port, thus completely with this miserable attempt at description. You cutting off all further supplies. What they had no doubt have heard of the combined force, with a on hand was, in time, almost consumed; the in- large convoy of merchant vessels, of all nations, habitants were even obliged to feed on dogs, cats, loaded with merchandise, forcing the passage of &c. Thus reduced, in a very short time the town the Parana on their way to Paraguay, and of the would have capitulated, and Oribe would have desperate resistance they met with. Still they again been fully reinstated; and then he proposed succeeded in destroying the forts and passing on to allow them a fair election. At this state of to Corrientes, a part of which province English affairs, all at once, the English and French ap-gold has caused to rebel against Rosas. In Parapeared as pacificators, so they called themselves. guay they have also, by the same means, created All at once, they saw Rosas' ambition, and deter- a feeling against Rosas, which they trust will aid mination to destroy the independence of this prov- them in whatever views they have towards Buenos ince of Uruguay, which they (the English) had Ayres. Lately we have not heard anything furguarrantied in some treaty with Brazil. They ther of this fleet, but that they have not reached protested against Rosas' right of blockade; and, Paraguay is certain; and whether Paraguay will after a heavy correspondence of advice, threats, be forced into a direct war with Buenos Ayres, or &c., which Rosas unheeded, they seized and dis- whether these noble rivers will be entirely opened mantled the blockading squadron; turned their to trade, time alone will decide, and nations alone crews adrift; received several of the vessels into will judge how far the English and French had their service; and, finally, the united forces of the right to force the opening of the river; but England and France blockaded Buenos Ayres. one thing is certain, if it is ever freely opened, we The documents that I have sent will put you in shall derive the same advantage as we did from the possession of all the particulars of this last move- China transaction. Our peaceful attitude, and the ment, which took place last fall. The English course we have pursued, will give it to us; wherhave also landed the 73d and 45th regiments, and ever we go we are respected and loved as a just a party of royal marines, amounting to near two and honorable nation, strictly loving peace, but thousand men; the French have also landed a few determined to bear no wrong, and one that I hope hundred of their sailors, (who are half-soldier, will never suffer European interference. I have half-sailor,) and their ministers and admirals sway seen enough of it in every part of the world never all the counsels of the city. Besides these troops, to view with indifference their least foothold in our there are about one thousand blacks and two to blessed country. three thousand French Basques, and Italians, all under arms, and supported, no doubt, by English gold, with a promise of rich lands in the interior JOURNEY ACROSS MEXICO SINCE THE WAR. when once Oribe's power is destroyed. If they wait for that, it will be a long day; for one hun- WE are indebted to Dr. Wood, who has recentdred thousand men would scarce overrun this prov-ly returned to the United States, in company with ince, or that of Buenos Ayres. Within the last Messrs. Dimond and Parrot, (consuls,) for the ten days Rivera arrived from Rio. The pacifica- following sketches. Dr. W. has spent some time tors denied him permission to land; but so severe on the coasts of the Pacific; and travelled, on his was the outery among the troops-especially the return, from Mazatlan, on that coast, to Vera Cruz, blacks, who commenced every kind of excess-on the Gulf of Mexico. These sketches will be that they were at last obliged to allow him to land. He is now on shore, and at the head of the blacks, "Although the route and mode of procedure Basques, and Italians, and, it is thought, will not between Mexico and Vera Cruz has been frequentbe swayed longer by foreign influence, and rather ly described by tourists, I believe there is not so than submit to it he may capitulate with Oribe. much familiarity with the road from the Pacific to They used him as a tool as long as he might serve the capital of the Mexican States; and it may not their views, and then wished to see him cast aside. be uninteresting at the present moment to take a They are certainly on the look-out; and I fancy I rapid glance at this long route, passing through can see signs of an embarkation of their troops, the heart, the chief provinces, and cities of the which must take place before long, if their gov- republic. While hostilities were threatening, but ernments do not materially reinforce them. They before their commencement, it became necessary have clearly made fools of themselves; and if to hold immediate communication with the United their object was and is a foothold in this part of States across the continent. The most convenient the world, I believe they have so far fully missed point of departure is at the town of San Blas, a it; sooner or later they must retire, and then Oribe little south of the mouth of the Gulf of California, will take instant possession, and should he rid the and one day's ordinary sail from Mazatlan. Startstate of that foreign tribe, he will be doing it some ing from San Blas instead of Mazatlan saves five service. So far I have, by a feeble sketch of days' laborious land travel. The village on the affairs, brought you up to the existing state at beach consists of a collection of thatched huts, inpresent. I will only add that Oribe has been en-habited by a sallow, unhealthy looking population, camped at his present site near three years; that and particularly rich in mosquitoes and sand flies. he maintains a strict government of the whole About a mile back of the beach stands the old country, except Colonea, a small village opposite town of San Blas, on a rocky eminence, rising like Buenos Ayres and Maldanada, also a small town a castle from the swampy verdant plain surroundnear the sea, off both of which places the English ing it; it is now but the mouldering gravestone or French maintain a naval force. What have of past prosperity. Both San Blas and Tepic, the been their views in the whole transaction, I leave city of which it is the port, are losing themselves to sounder heads than mine to unravel; the great-in the flourishing town of Mazatlan, which has er knowledge you possess of political affairs than risen rapidly out of that smuggling commerce I have, will, no doubt, guide you to a motive; one which the benighted policy of Mexico has rendered

found interesting, particularly at this time.-Union.

the systematic, if not the legitimate, commerce | found ready an ample supper; after which we of the country. With the Spanish style of archi- were assigned chambers provided with every luxtecture, Mazatlan has the freshness, newness, and, ury for the most fastidious, and particularly agreedisdaining the limitation of walls, the independent, able after an unaccustomed ride of fifty-five miles. straggling character of a new town in the United Tepic is a handsome and well built city of about States. eight thousand inhabitants, but in a state of decay its population having fallen off in a few years four thousand. The only thing refreshing, prosperous, and un-Mexican about it, is the cotton factory of the Messrs. Forbes. The situation is pretty and picturesque, where they have the waterpower of a mountain stream, and the buildings, both of the factory and residences of the persons connected with it, are in a showy and appropriate architectural taste. The superintendent, as well as all the leading workmen, are from the United States; and in the number of years in which they have been employed, Mr. Forbes assured me he never had had the least difficulty or cause of dissatisfaction with any of them. This factory makes eighty pieces a day, and it sells at twenty-five cents the yard-something less than a yard. Most of the raw material is brought from New Orleans, although a little is grown in the country. In the neighborhood of Tepic are some fine sugar estates, where refined sugar is made at a cost of three or four cents, and sells at ten cents a pound, though nothing like a supply for the country is produced, as I have known, in the neighborhood of Tepic, this sugar to retail at fifty cents a pound.

At San Blas arrangements had been made with an arriero, or muleteer, to convey us to the city of Tepic; some of our party going no further than this place; and accordingly on the morning of May 4th, we found the requisite quantity of beasts on the beach, all caparisoned for the journey. It is next to impossible to describe the huge, confused mass of wood, leather, thongs, and straps which make up the equipment of a Mexican saddle, and appears a sufficient load for the little animal which sustains it without the addition of the rider. It is necessary that each traveller on this journey should have at least one baggage mule; for, besides his ordinary luggage, he must carry all his bedding, and, with a just discretion, a good store of provisions. Upon this occasion, we had handsome and convenient brass bedsteads, stowed compactly in trunks and boxes, and at night, when they were put up, their glittering posts and canopy frames formed a strong contrast with the rude unfurnished rooms in which we lodged. In loading the mules two things surprise the stranger: first, the weight and bulk which the animals carry; and next, the facility with which the arrieros secure articles of every weight and size, so that the animal climbing precipitous paths, and walking narrow shelves, seems a moving mass of trunks, boxes, and bales.

Our party consisted, including the muleteers, of seven persons, and ten horses and mules; each of us equipped with a formidable battery of carbines at the saddle bow, pistols round the waist, and the Mexicans wearing long rusty swords which had lost their scabbards. All this warlike equipment was, I presume, upon the principle of scarecrows in a cornfield, more than with any design of bloody conflict. All preparations being completed at seven o'clock, we took our departure from the shore of the Pacific ocean, and passed into a dense, luxuriant, bottom land thicket or jungle. This bottom is only passable in the dry season, and we noticed the elevation of the water during the wet season marked six feet high on the trees. From this bottom we ascended by a gentle rise to some good cultivable land, upon which was here and there a Mexican farm or rancho, and occasionally a new clearing, such as are seen in our west. At twelve we reached the half-way house, a plain farm-house, where we found clean and comfortable provision. Resting until half-past three, we again got under way, and now commenced the ascent of the mountains. Our way lay through a dark forest of gigantic trees, up and down precipitous declivities until, about sun down, we emerged upon a naked and desolate mountain summit, from which, looking back over a vast region of country below us, we had our parting view of the Pacific losing itself in the distant horizon. The road now passed over hills of white and red clay, a sterile and lonely country. The moon rose upon us long before our day's journey came to its close in the city of Tepic, just as the serenos, or watchmen, were whistling on their sharp calls the hour of ten, and giving forth their devotional cry of "Ave Maria purissima." We were received in the elegant mansion of Mr. Forbes, a Scotch gentleman, whose warm hospitality allows no stranger to pass Tepic without a home. He had been expecting us, and we

At Tepic we first met the hostile proclamation of Paredes, directing an advance upon General Taylor. This gave us some uneasiness, although it was the general impression that this proclamation had some other design in its threats than the purpose of executing them.

At Tepic we made a new contract with an arriero for himself, his mozos, or boys, horses, mules, carbines and swords, to carry us to Guadalaxara, a five-day journey. The annual fair of Tepic was in progress as we passed through. It is nothing more than a scene of low dissipation; the public square, or plaza, which is common to every Mexican town, being filled with every possible contrivance-wheels, cards, dice, colored cloths, &c.-for gambling, and the tables ranging in wealth from a small capital of copper coin, where children and beggars tried their fortunes, to those where their elders and betters might stake gold.

The necessary arrangements being completed, on the afternoon of May 6th our cavalcade was on its way to Guadalaxara, reaching that night the village of San Leonel. Don Ramon, our chief arriero, instead of taking us to the fonda, lodged us in the farm-house of a friend of his. The lady of the establishment was particularly cautious in locking the doors and securing the windows before retiring; and, as a reason for her care, she showed an enormous scar extending the whole length of her arm, which had been inflicted by the knife of a robber some years before, who, at the same time, laid two others of her household wounded on the floor.

The usual mode of travelling is to start at three or four o'clock in the morning, having first taken the desayuero, or cup of tea, coffee, or chocolate, with a small cake or rusk; then travelling until eleven or twelve o'clock, when breakfast, in our sense of the word, is taken, and a rest of three or four hours enjoyed, the day's journey being completed in the cool of the evening, at which time the traveller dines. This order and period of meals is that common to all Mexico.

The first part of our journey from Tepic was provement which came under my notice. A broad, among a succession of smooth, rounded hills, rising handsome, well-made, paved carriage road is being from the surrounding dry, barren plains, like Indian cut from the face of the mountain, descending it in mounds, the plains themselves intersected by long a succession of inclined planes, turning one upon stone fences, but entirely destitute of cultivation. another, and much of the road is already comSoon after leaving San Leonel on the morning of pleted. Ascending from these shady depths by a the seventh, the country assumed a rather more precipitous road we reached, a little after night, cheering appearance. A few thinly-scattered pine the miserable village, but good porada of Mochotrees covered the hills, and an occasional small titli. Leaving this village early in the morning, stream of water ran at their base. In the valleys we entered upon the lonely desolate table lands of were fields of barley; here and there we passed an Mexico; but although uncheered by shrubbery or Indian village of thatched huts, and mules treading cultivation, we had the advantage of a good level out barley on a ground threshing-floor. Our halt road, which towards evening brought us rather for the day was at the village of Santa Isabel. Leav- suddenly upon a different scene. From the brow ing this place, our road conducted us, during the af- of the elevated plain upon which we had been ternoon, over a singular volcanic formation. As we travelling, we looked down upon an extensive approached this region, there appeared to be a lofty green valley, spread over with fields of the maguey dark wall extending across the country from the plant, from which the brandy of the country is disbase of a mountain on the left. This wall formed tilled. Immediately beneath us was the town of the boundary, or outer edge of a widely-extended Tequila, with its houses and church domes shootmass of craggy rocks rising some twenty feet above ing from amid groves of trees. Tequila, although the country over which they were spread. They constructed with handsome houses and regular lay, far as the eye could see, tossed into all man- streets, owed much of its effect to distance; for, in ner of confused shapes, like rocky waves with rag-passing through it, the appearance of the whole ged summits. grown black with age, and had the place was one of poverty, dilapidation, and decay. appearance of a tempest-tost sea of molten iron, Sleeping that night at the village of Amelatan, on suddenly congealed in all its wild confusion. In the following morning, (Sunday, May 10th,) under contemplating the probable force producing the a broiling sun, in clouds of dust, and amid troops phenomenon, it presents the idea of the explosion of mules, at 11 o'clock we entered the truly beauof a mountain and the masses tumbling into their tiful city of Guadalaxara, but not without seeing present disorder. By night we arrived at the something of the benighted policy, constructed to pretty town of Aguacatlan, of some five thousand facilitate robbery, and sustain a rapacious soldiery, inhabitants, having a fine plaza surrounded by the system which scarce permits an article to move shade trees, and a conspicuous church and convent. from one part of the country to another, without The porada of Aguacatlan is one of more preten- taxation. Although we had now advanced so far sion than any on the route, having a large corridor in the interior at the garita, or interior customin front, over which is announced in large letters, house, one of our mules was selected to be un"Here may be found every convenience for persons loaded, while a slovenly epauletted fellow-some of good taste." The offices surrounding the court Mexican general or colonel, undoubtedly—overyard were each labelled, and it was very gratify-hauled the baggage to see that we were not smuging to notice over one, "Here the bread is made with the greatest cleanliness." Generally the arrangement of all these poradas is the same. The traveller is shown into a room containing a heavy table, a bench with a high back, and some boards in a corner-upon which to place his bedding; but in addition to this at Aguacatlan, we had a lay Guadalaxara is a very showy city, of palace-like sala or drawing-room, furnished with mahogany houses, and enormous churches and convents, covchairs. The proprietor is undoubtedly one of those ering many squares of the city; concealing in their spirits in advance of his age and country. On the recesses a vast population lost to life and usefulfollowing morning our route from Aguacatlan to ness. Flowers and gardens seemed to be a prevaIstlan lay for ten or twelve miles through the most lent taste, and the verandahs or iron balconies profertile and best cultivated valley we had yet seen,jecting from the second stories were so filled with and better covered with farm houses and villages; vases of flowers as to give along the length of elestill the cultivation is careless, antique, and barba- gant streets the appearance of hanging flower garrous, the plough in use being no more than a dens. A broad and shaded paseo extends for a sharpened log of wood. The afternoon of this day mile and a half along one side of the city, and terbrought us to the Barrancas, the wildest and most minates in a handsome rose-hedged park and garpicturesque scene on the whole route from the Pa- den. Fountains of stone and bronze, bubbling cific to the Atlantic. The barranca is a gorge sev- forth clear cold water, are seen in every direction. eral thousand feet deep, separating two ranges of But these are all remnants and splendors of the mountains, and the descent is by a zig-zag road past-the present is in strong contrast. Poverty, along the face of the left hand range, with this tre-vice, and wretchedness are its characteristics; begmendous gulf on the right; the bottom of this gorge gars forming the great population of the streets, being reached, a little advance shows that we are still on the summit of a mountain, for another opening of still greater depth appears on the left hand, the bottom of which has also to be reached; the road there continues in this deep and shady valley, along the banks of a rocky stream, and beneath overhanging precipices for some miles. In this wild and difficult pass, by some capricious impulse, is seen the only evidence of national energy, or internal im

gling. Had we really been loaded with contraband articles, it would have given us no annoyance, as he was only stationed there to make his living by taking bribes. However, we had no favors to ask, and did not choose to pay him to release us from the detention.

and the prisons thronged with criminals of the vilest character, and existing in the most disgusting filth. The prison of Guadalaxara is one of the most fertile recruiting stations of the army. The California garrison was always formed from these assassins; or rather they were sent there to depredate with impunity upon the unoffending inhabitants, until, patience being exhausted, all Mexican rule was expelled. Their offences and their ex