Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 2.djvu/230

216 We left Săn Jūān early on the 31st of December, and commenced, not without much curiosity, our approach to the Capital. We were gratified almost immediately with a view of the Valley of Mexico, but the day being unusually cloudy, neither the Lakes, nor the town, were distinctly visible. After descending from the ridge of hills, which forms the boundary to the North-east, and traversing a long stone causeway, by which the lake of Tĕzcūcŏ is separated from that of San Chrĭstōvăl, we arrived about twelve o'clock at the Guădălūpĕ gate, where we were met by Mr. Ălămān, the Minister for Foreign Affairs. This gentleman, after making us enter a large state-coach, which had been Ĭtŭrbīdĕ's, but which was now destined by the Government for our use, conducted us to a house on the Ălămēdă, or great Public Walk, which had been furnished for our reception, where he left us to make our own arrangements, after begging us to consider ourselves completely at home, and adding that we should find every thing that we could possibly want provided for us.

Of this unexpected courtesy we were glad, at first, to avail ourselves, as all the heavy baggage had been left at Jălāpă; only a few mules, with our beds, portmanteaus, and a canteen, having accompanied us to the Capital. This is a necessary arrangement in Mexican travelling, as the ordinary pace of a Mueteer, when his mules carry their full load of twelve Arrobas, (300 lbs.) does not exceed four leagues a