Page:Life in Mexico vol 1.djvu/355



 The President — Yturbide — Visit from the Archbishop — Señor Cañedo — General Almonte — Señor Cuevas — Situation of an Archbishop in Mexico — Of Señor Posada — His life — Mexican charity — Wax figures — Anecdote — Valuable present — Education — Comparison — Schools — Opportunities — Natural talent — Annual — Compliments to the Mexican ladies by the Editor — Families of the old school — Morals — Indulgence — Manners — Love of country — Colleges.

5th July.

morning, we had a visit from the President, with two of his officers. He was riding one of the handsomest black horses I ever saw. On going out we stopped to look at a wax figure of Yturbide on horseback, which he considers a good resemblance, and which was sent me in a present some time ago. He ought to be a good judge, as he was a most devoted friend of the unfortunate Agustin the First, who, whatever were his faults, seems to have inspired his friends with the most devoted and enthusiastic attachment. In the prime of life, brave and active, handsome and fond of show, he had all the qualities which render a chief popular with the multitude; "but popularity, when not based upon great benefits, is transient; it is founded upon a principle of egotism, because a whole people cannot have personal sympathies." Ambition led him to desert