Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 2.djvu/203

Rh extent of country which we had traversed on our way from the coast.

As soon as our carriages arrived, we proceeded in the direction of Jălāpă, where we understood that some preparations had been made for our reception. After a continued ascent of about two hours, over a rugged and dangerous road, we reached the platform upon which the town stands, and pursued our course along a piece of the old Veracruz causeway, through fields of maize, and gardens, following each other in rapid succession, sometimes surrounded with hedges of the Banana and the Aloe, interspersed with Chĭrĭmōyăs, and a thousand other trees; and at others by a light cane fence, which just enabled us to perceive the variety of the flowers in which the houses were almost buried within. At a little distance from the town we were met by several officers on horseback, who had been deputed to receive us, and by whom we were conducted to a house which had been prepared for us in the principal street, where we found the Governor, with some of the principal members of the Ayuntamiento: a dinner was in readiness, to which we all sate down in great state, with a band of music at the door: servants were placed at our disposal; and a mayor domo, or Maitre d'hotel was presented to us, who, we were informed, had orders to furnish every thing that we could possibly want during our stay. In short, nothing could be more gratifying than our reception: the streets