been employed for some time past, and the result of which will be published shortly. All other questions must be replied to de vive voix.

I must now conclude my last letter written from this place; for we are surrounded by visiters, day and night; and, to say the truth, feel that it is only the prospect of returning to our family, which can counterbalance the unfeigned regret we feel at leaving our friends in Mexico. My next letter will most probably be dated from Vera Cruz.

LETTER THE FIFTY-SECOND.

Last day in Mexico

- Theatre · Santa Anna - French minis

ter's Parting — Diligence — Last look of Mexico - Fatigue - Robbers - Escort Second impressions - Baths at Jalapa -Vera Cruz-Some account of San Juan de Ulua - Siege of - Siege of 1838- General Bustamante - Theatre · Of the north winds.

1825

VERA CRUZ, 6th January, 1842. HAVING Concluded our arrangements for leaving Mexico on the second of January, we determined, as the diligence started long before daybreak, not to attempt taking any rest that night. We went out early, and took leave of the Dowager Marquésa de Vivanco, who was confined to the house by illness, and whose kindness to us has been unremitting ever since our arrival. It is a sad thing to take leave of a person of her age, and in her delicate state of health, whom there is scarcely a possibility of our ever seeing again. Some days before, we parted also from one of our oldest friends here, the Countess Ca. The last day, besides the Spaniards, who have been our constant friends and visiters ever since we came here, we had melancholy visits of adieu from Señor Gomez Pedraza and his lady from the families of Echavarria, of Fagoaga, Cortina, Escandon, Casaflores, and many whose names are unknown to you. Amongst others was the Güera Rodriguez.

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"PATA DE CABRA."

About eight o'clock, accompanied even to the door of the carriage by a number of ladies who were with us to the last, and amongst these were P. -a Ca and L- -z E-n, we broke short all these sad partings, and with the A-s and the family of the French Minister, set off for the theatre of New Mexico! I can imagine your surprise at such a finale, but it was the only means left us of finishing a painful scene and of beguiling the weary hours yet remaining before the diligence started, for it was in vain to think of rest or sleep that night. The theatre was very crowded, the play an amusing piece of Diablerie, called the "Pata de Cabra," (the goat's foot) badly got up, of course, as its effect depends upon scenery and machinery. I believe it was very entertaining, but I cannot say we felt inclined to enter into the spirit of it. The family of General V- -a were there, and this being the day of a great diplomatic dinner, given by Santa Anna, various officers and diplomates came in late and in full dress. I was informed by one of the company, that six colonels stood the whole time of dinner behind His Excellency's chair! I wonder what French officer would do as much for Louis Philippe. Vogue la galére! From the theatre, which concluded about one, we drove to the house of the Minister, where we

spent a very grave half hour, and then returned home with a very splendid brioche, of generous proportions, which Madame La Baronne de had kindly pre

pared for our journey.

Arrived at the A-s, we sat down to supper, and never was there a sadder meal than this, when

LAST LOOK OF MEXICO.

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for the last time we sat at the hospitable board of these our earliest and latest Mexican friends. We were thankful when it was all over and we had taken leave, and when, accompanied to the inn by Señor A-d and other gentlemen, we found ourselves fairly lodged in the diligence, on a dark and rather cold morning, sad, sleepy and shivering. All Mexico was asleep as we drove out of the gates. The very houses seemed sunk in slumber. So terminated our

last Mexican New Year's Day.

When we reached the eminence, from which is the last view of the valley, the first dawn of day was just breaking over the distant city, the white summits of the volcanos were still enveloped in mist, and the lake was veiled by low clouds of vapor, that rose slowly from its surface. And this was our last glimpse of Mexico!

The diligence is now on a new and most fatiguing plan of travelling night and day, after leaving Puebla, so that, starting from Mexico at four o'clock on the morning of the second of January, it arrives in Vera Cruz early on the morning of the fifth, saving a few hours and nearly killing the travellers. The government had granted us escorts for the whole journey, now more than ever necessary. It was five in the afternoon when we reached Puebla, and we set off again by dawn the next morning.

We had just left the gates, and our escort, which had rode forward, was concealed by some rising ground, when, by the faint light, we perceived some half dozen mounted cavaliers making stealthily up to us across the fields. Their approach was first dis

cerned by a Spanish lady who was with us, and who was travelling with strings of pearl and valuable diamonds concealed about her person, which made her peculiarly sharp-sighted on the occasion. "Ladrones!" said she, and every one repeated "ladrones!" in different intonations. They rode across the fields, came up pretty close to the diligence, and reconnoitred us. I was too sleepy to be frightened, and reconnoitred them in return with only one eye open. The coachman whipped up his horses- the escort came in sight-and the gentlemen struck into the fields again. The whole passed in a minute or two. The soldiers of the escort came riding back to the diligence, and the captain, galloping up to the window, gave himself great credit for having “frightened away the robbers."

We arrived at Perote when it was nearly dusk supped, and started again at eleven o'clock at night. We passed a horrible night in the diligence, and were thankful when daybreak showed us the beautiful environs of Jalapa. It is singular that on a second impression, returning by this road, the houses appear handsomer than they did before, and nature less beautiful. I conclude that this is to be accounted for simply from the circumstance of the eye having become accustomed both to the works of nature and of man, which characterize this country. The houses which at first appeared gloomy, large and comfortless, habit has reconciled us to, and experience has taught us that they are precisely suited to this climate of perpetual spring. The landscape, with its eternal flowers and verdure, no longer astonishes and be