Page:Life in Mexico vol 2.djvu/249

Rh plan of the Comicios," said to be written by General Tomel, who has gone over to the citadel, and who, having a great deal of classical learning, talks in it of the Roman Committees—(the Comicios.) Since then, the revolution has taken the name of liberal, and is supported by men of name, the Pedrazas, Balderas, Riva Palacio and others, which is of great importance to Valencia, and has given force and consistency to his party. Besides this, the pronunciados have the advantage of a free field from the citadel out to Tacubaya, where it is said that certain rich bankers, who are on their side, are constantly supplying the citadel with cartloads of copper, which they send in from thence. . . ..

Meanwhile, we pass our time very quietly. In the morning we generally have visiters very early, discussing the probabilities, and giving us the last reports. Sometimes we venture out when there is no firing, which is much less constant and alarming than it was last year. So far, we continue to have visiters in the evening, and Señor B and I have been playing duets on the harp and piano, even though Mexico is declared "in a state of siege." The Minister, who was here this morning, does however, strongly recommend us to change our quarters, and to remove to Tacubaya; which will be so troublesome, that we are inclined to delay it until it becomes perfectly necessary. . . ..

5th.—We went upon the azotea this afternoon, to have a good view of the city. There were people on almost all the balconies, as on a fête-day. A picturesque group of friars of the order of La Merced,