Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 2.djvu/59

Rh retains its strength and cost the Americans a vast amount of trouble in the recent war. On the north-west point of the land at a considerable elevation a brilliant and commanding revolving light is stationed,—often serving to remind a stranger from Europe of similar well-remembered beacons on his native coasts.

The rainy season here commences in June, and frequently continues to the end of September. The heat prevailing at this period, and for some time before and after, is insufferable, and awfully pernicious: nor is this the worst; there are a number of large swamps in the neighbourhood of the city, and the suffocating vapours arising from them are even more productive of fever than the heat.

The present city of Vera Cruz does not occupy the same site as the town founded by the first Spanish discoverers; the latter being about six miles distant. The houses of Vera Cruz are lofty and tolerably cleanly; and there are many handsome buildings. The streets are spacious, and, considering the country, are maintained in something resembling a good condition. There is no lack of prosperous inhabitants; the store-keepers and others contriving to realize a huge profit