MEXICO. City of Mexico. and there are even edifices of a very beautiful structure." The palace of the late viceThe state of Mexico comprises the Valley roys, the cathedral, built in what is termed of Mexico, a fine and splendid region, varie- the Gothic Style, several of the convents, gated by extensive lakes, and surrounded by and some private palaces, reared upon plans some of the loftiest volcanic peaks of the new || furnished by the pupils of the Academy of the world. Its circumference is about 200 miles, Fine Arts, are of great extent and magnifiand it forms the very centre of the great table- cence: yet, upon the whole, it is rather the land of Anahuac, elevated from 6000 to 8000 arrangement, regularity, and general effect feet above the level of the sea. In the cen- of the city, which render it so striking. Notre of this valley stands the city of Mexico; thing in particular, can be more enchanting the ancient Mexico, or Tenochtitlan, having than the view of the city and valley from the been built in the middle of a lake, and con- surrounding heights. The eye sweeps over nected with the continent by extensive cause- a vast extent of cultivated fields, to the very ways or dykes. The new Mexico is three base of the colossal mountains, covered with miles from the lake of Tezcuco, and nearly perpetual snow. The city appears as if six from that of Chalco; yet Humboldt con- washed by the waters of the Lake of Tezcusiders it certain, from the remains of the an- co, which, surrounded by villages and hamcient teocalli, or temples, that it occupies the lets, resembles the most beautiful of the Swiss identical position of the former city, and that lakes, and the rich cultivation of the vicinity a great part of the waters of the valley have forms a striking contrast with the naked been dried up. Mexico was long considered mountains. Among these rise the famous the largest city of America; but it is now volcano Popocatepetl and the mountain of Izsurpassed by New York, perhaps even by Rio taccihuatl, of which the first, an enormous Janeiro. Some estimates have raised its pop- cone, burns occasionally, throwing up smoke ulation to 200,000; but it may, on good and ashes, in the midst of eternal snows.grounds, be fixed at from 120,000 to 140,000. The police of the city is excellent; most of It is beyond dispute the most splendid. "Mex- the streets are handsomely paved, lighted, ico is undoubtedly one of the finest cities and cleansed. The annual consumption in built by Europeans in either hemisphere; Mexico has been computed at 16,300 beeves; with the exception of St. Petersburg, Berlin, 279,000 sheep; 50,000 hogs; 1,600,000 fowls, and Philadelphia, and some quarters of West- including ducks and turkeys: 205,000 pigminster, there does not exist a city of the eons and partridges. The markets are resame extent which can be compared to the markably well supplied with animal and vegcapital of New Spain, for the uniform leveletable productions, brought by crowds of caof the ground on which it stands, for the reg-noes along the Lake Chalco, and the canal ularity and breadth of the streets, and the leading to it. These canoes are often guidextent of the squares and public places. The ed by females, who at the same time are architecture is generally of a very pure style, weaving cotton in their simple portable looms, No. 14. The Quaker Girl-Spring--Stanzas. or plucking fowls, and throwing the feathers into the water. Most of the flowers and roots have been raised in chinampas, or floating gardens, an invention peculiar to the new world. They consist of rafts formed of reeds, roots and bushes, and covered with black sa line mould, which, being irrigated by the water of the lake, becomes exceedingly fertile. It is a great disadvantage to Mexico, however, that it stands nearly on a level with the surrounding lake; which, in seasons of heavy rains, overwhelm it with destructive inundations. The construction of a desague, or canal, to carry off the waters of the Lake of Zumpango, and of the principal river by which it is fed, has, since 1629, prevented any very desolating flood. The desague, though not conducted with skill and judgment, cost 5,000,000 dollars, and is one of the most stupendous hydraulic works ever executed. Were it filled with water, the largest vessels of war might pass by it through the range of mountains, which bound the plain of Mexico. The alarms, however, have been frequent, and cannot well cease, while the level of that lake is twenty feet above that of the great square of Mexico. THE QUAKER GIRL. There are those that please and those that There are those that boast of a lovely form- Have you ever gazed on a pretty face, That shrinking, gave you a reprimand? But the quakeress girl is the one for me!! SPRING. 255 and blooms, and perfumes; covering the earth STANZAS. BY REV. CHARLES WOLF, If I had thought thou couldst have died, That thou couldst mortal be: And thou shouldst smile no more. And still upon that face I look, And think 'twill smile again; What thou ne'er left'st unsaid; Sweet Mary! thou art dead! 256 The Wife-The Farewell. If thou would'st stay e'en as thou art, I still might press thy silent heart, And where thy smiles have been! While e'en thy chill, bleak corpse I have, Thou seemest still my own; But there I lay thee in thy grave And I am now alone! I do not think, where'er thou art, Yet there was round thee such a dawn THE WIFE. BY WASHINGTON IRVING. I have often had occasion to remark the fortitude with which women sustain the most overcoming reverses of fortune. Those disasters which break down the spirit of a man, and prostrate him in the dust, seem to call forth all the energies of the softer sex, and give such intrepidity and elevation to their character, that at times it approaches sublimity. Nothing can be more touching than to behold a soft and tender female, who had been all weakness and dependence, and alive to every trivial roughness while treading the prosperous path of life, suddenly rising in mental force to be a comforter and supporter of her husband under misfortune, and abide with anshrinking firmness the most bitter blasts of adversity. As the vine which has long twined its graceful foliage around the oak, and been lifted by it into sunshine, will, when the hardy plant is riven by the thunderbolt, cling around it with caressing tendrils, and bind up its shattered boughs; so it is beautifully ordered by Providence, that woman who is the mere dependant and ornament of man in his happiest hours, should be his solace when smitten by sudden calamity, winding herself into the rugged recesses of his nature, tenderly supporting the drooping head, and binding up the broken heart. I was once congratulating a friend who had around him a blooming family, knit together in the strongest ties of affection. "I can wish him no better lot," said he, with enthusiasm, "than to have a wife and children. If you are in prosperity they are to share it with you; if otherwise they are to comfort you." And, indeed, I have observed that a married man falling into misfortune, is more apt to retrieve his situation in the world than a single one: partly, because he is more stimu VOL. I. lated to exertion by the necessities of the helpless and beloved beings who depend on him for subsistence; but chiefly because his spirits are relieved by domestic endearments, and his self-respect kept alive by finding that, all abroad is darkness and humiliation, yet there is a little world of love at home, of which he is the monarch. Whereas a single man is apt to run into waste and self-neglect; to fancy himself lonely and abandoned, and his heart to fall to ruin, like some deserted mansion, for want of an inhabitant. The cultivation of the spirit that breathes the above extract, is one of the most precious securities of virtue. THE FAREWELL. BY E. YATES REESE. Fare-thee-well! the word is spoken Lips have breathed the last adieuHearts have bled o'er pleasures broken Pure as friendship ever knew: Fare-thee-well!—may absence find thee Still the same as now thou artTreasured thoughts of those behind thee, Dwell forever near thy heart. Looks lit up with hope may meet thee Hearts drink agony to-morrow, Lie disrobed of all their bloom- Spirit-sentinels, protect thee, Till thy final hour may come; Faith unwavering then direct thee, To thine amaranthine home:Where with songs of joy and gladness, Friends may walk the pearly shore: And the parting word of sadness Stir the depths of grief no more. Be punctual to meet all engagements at the time appointed, and never make a con tract unless you intend to fulfil it.. In all your dealings be perfectly honest and upright, and as much as possible avoid all mistakes in the transaction of business. Vol. I. THE LADIES' SONNET. BY ONE DEPARTING FOR ITALY. April, 1838. FAREWELL, dear friend! the land is slowly fading; As from the sea he gazes on the shore, No. 15. retraced her steps slowly and thoughtfully to the house. On gaining his saddle, Sir Edmund Andross put spurs to his horse, and followed by Cato, rode through the town to rejoin his troop.— He had scarcely cleared the struggling sub Where his own loved ones dwell-the home, the urbs, when he was challenged by a mounted home Of deep and true affections, valued more, Yet, dearest, ever lives my heart with thee! THE CHARTER, AN HISTORICAL TALE OF CONNECTICUT. Concluded. "Here is the Charter, Edmund," faintly said Helen, placing the roll in the eager hand of Andross, who, impatient of delay, met her as she came from the house; and sinking upon his shoulder, she whispered, "What have I done? I tremble all over." Be reassured, Helen,” he said, embracing her. "You have acted nobly. His Majesty shall know your loyalty.” "Your love, is all I ask, Edmund." "And is it not yours, dear girl?" he said, drawing her hastily to his heart. "Now go in, my love. I fear your absence will be marked. I will soon see you again." "Where do you go?" sentinel, posted in the road, who presented his harquebuss and demanded the countersign. "The Charter." "Pass to the right," eplied the soldier, resuming his position. A few yards from the highway, he came upon his troop, drawn up in a wood. Trevor rode forward to meet him. "What success in love and politics!" "I have the Charter here," he said, signihcantly, at the same time producing the roll. "Ha! The lady?" "The lady." "She has redeemed your sex. as Governor of Connecticut.” I nail you "And these ox-headed provincials shall know it within twenty minutes. "Gentlemen," he added, addressing Randolph and Dudley as they rode up, "I have obtained the Charter of this Colony, through the agency of a loyal partizan. "Tis here. The Council are in full conclave in their town-hall.— I shall take the liberty of intruding upon their deliberations. I desire your attendance." Here he gave one or two brief orders; the sentinel fell into his place in the ranks; and every man drew his rein tighter, and slightly "To the Council. Adieu. I will return pressed the flanks of his horse with tho rowel cre long." 258 The Charter, VOL. wheeled into the road, and advanced at a fast || have drawn up at the town-house. Do not trot into the town. detain me, dear Kate, I must be there." "How do you intend to act?" asked Trevor, who cantered by the side of the leader. "Surround the hall-enter and demand the charter as if I had it not-and so give them a chance of surrendering, with some show of decency." "If they do not?" "There, Kate, there," he said, embracing her. "I will return and give you the news. The next moment she was alone. The squadron of horse which we left entering the town, swept along its deserted I shall show them that I am their Gover-street with the noise of a whirlwind; with nor. And if they refuse to acknowledge armor clanging, spurs and bridles ringing, and matches glowing like lamps in the wind of their rapid motion, striking with wonder and alarm the startled citizens, who wildly By-rushed to their doors, and penetrating even the walls of the council-room, and arresting the councillors in the midst of their deliberations. Nearer and louder it grew, until the troop drew up before the door. "Convince them of their error with some four-score indisputable arguments," said Trevor, dryly, looking back at the troop. the-by! how was my fair cousin's health?" "In excellent keeping.” "And did you see my other cousin, Kate?" "No." "She has been expecting me this six weeks, and will take me to task for loitering among the beauties of your town of Boston," said Trevor, spurring forward to keep up with his more eager companion. In the meanwhile the servant had delivered Catharine's note, and young Wadsworth hastened to obey the command of his mistress. 66 Henry," said Catharine, meeting him before he reached the house, "now you can show both your love and patriotism. Sir Edmund Andross is in Hartford." 66 Impossible." I have seen him." "Ha!" "What can mean this uproar?" exclaimed one of the Assembly, rising and approaching the window. "There is some commotion without," said the venerable Governor; "Fitz Winthrop," he said to a gentleman near him, "I pray you go and learn the cause." There followed a sound of confused voices without; then a heavy footstep, accompanied by the clatter of armor and jingling of spurs, was heard in the vestibule. All eyes were turned toward the door, which was suddenly thrown wide open, and with a haughty mein and a bold step, Sir Edmund Andross, accom panied by Trevor, Randolph, and Dudley, and "Listen." In a few words the maiden told attended by four grenadiers, entered the hall. her astonished lover what we have related Governor Treat, who sat at the upper end of more at large. He let fall some words," the apartment, fixed his eyes sternly, yet not she concluded, "about a troop. Doubtless he without curiosity, on the stranger as he strode is supported. When he finds out the trick up the room; and then rising with that digplayed upon him, I fear he will do some vio- nity for which he was remarkable, he demandlence-search the Governor's house, and per-ed the cause for so daring an intrusion into a haps my father's. Apprehensive of this, I peaceful assembly. brought the charter here, and now place it in your hands. Keep the trust sacred, Henry. Remember you hold here the liberties of this Colony." 66 "I will defend them with my blood," he said with animation, receiving the case which she had taken from her secretary to entrust to a safer guardian. "No. Do nothing hastily. While you are true to your country, do not forget Catharine. Hark! what sound is that?" They listened for a moment, and the sound grew louder and louder, when Wadsworth exclaimed, ""Tis the noise of cavalry in motion." "As I feared," cried Catharine, clinging to him as he was about to spring from her.Hold, do not leave me." 66 "You shall learn, Sir; and you worthy and honorable gentlemen also," said Andross, looking around, and speaking with ironical courtesy. "Have I the honor," he added, turning to his interrogator, "of addressing Robert Treat, self-styled Governor of His Majesty's Colony of Connecticut?" "I am," he answered with firmness, "Robert Treat, and Governor, by the grace of God and courtesy of his deceased Majesty Charles the First, of this Colony of Connecticut." "Amen," responded several voices in the room. The brow of the intruder lowered as he scowled upon the Assembly. "Whom," added the Governor, "have I the honor of addressing. "I am Sir Edmund Andross, Knight, and "Hark," he said, straining his eyes and lis-by His present Majesty's pleasure, Governor tening with an intentness that dulled his ear of this recusant Colony of Connecticut." o all other sounds: "it has ceased. They Until this moment, every countenance in |