Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/213

Rh under his command, and give encouragement to the enemy. So Gen. Scott will have either to remain with his army or resign his high command in the United States Army, which I think he will not; so he will have to fight his enemies in the rear as well as in the front.

The Mexicans have a proverbio (proverb), of Puebla City. That the large cathedral and other holy buildings were more improved at night than in day-time, and they all say that the angels did it. So this accounts for its being called Los Angels Puebla. No wonder it is full of Catholic priests.

To-night for the first time since we left the Castle of Perote, we sleep under cover, on a nicely paved floor.

Friday, July 9, 1847.—This morning we were aroused by a great ringing of bells. I thought first that the Mexicans were trying to scare us out of the city by ringing and deafening our ears, but, fortunately, I soon learned that it was a common occurrence among the church-going people of Puebla. Every morning and evening you can see the people going in droves to church, but they all soon come out again.

At 10 o'clock,, we were ordered to pack up and move our quarters to a large amphitheatre at Plaza de Toras, used as a pit in which to have bull fights. We soon arrived in the building. It is a fine building four stories high, and rounded like the National Circus building, corner of Ninth and Chestnut streets, Philadelphia, Pa. The whole building is built of wood, capable of holding fifteen thousand spectators, and I am told that when they have popular toras to fight it is full to overflowing. The building occupies a half square of ground, and is surrounded by a large well-built and cemented wall ten feet high. These are the best quarters we have had since we have been in this country.

Fresh bread and beef to-night.

Saturday, July 10, 1847.—This morning, as usual, ringing of church bells, and the way they ring it sounds as if one was trying to beat the other. I like to hear them, it puts me