Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 2.djvu/187

Rh Japonica, the wild luxuriancy of the gardens, and the brilliant white of the houses glittering in the sun, with verandas sheltered from its rays by a large tree, or a cluster of bananas. The whole forms a scene which is not easily forgotten, and which was, perhaps, impressed the more forcibly on my mind, by its total dissimilarity to that which succeeded it—the gloomy sand-hills of Veracruz.

On the morning of our arrival at Sacrificios, I was commissioned by Mr. Hervey to go on shore in order to open our communications with the Mexicans. Not being aware that, since the firing from the Castle had commenced, the great gates of the town had been closed, and that all intercourse with it was conducted by a road from Mŏcāmbŏ Point, (nearly opposite to our anchorage,) we took advantage of a momentary silence in the batteries on both sides, and rowed straight for the pier-head, passing within a quarter of a mile of the Castle, the walls of which were covered with men. On reaching the mole we landed, and proceeded towards the gate at the farther extremity, where, after much delay, we succeeded in obtaining admission through a wicket, behind which we found a breastwork of sand-bags, and a few straggling soldiers, with an officer, who, on due explanation being given, conducted us to the house of General Victoria, at that time Governor of the Province, and Commander-in-chief of the Army employed in the siege of Uloa.

Nothing could exceed the melancholy appearance