LETTER THE FIFTH.
Departure from Vera Cruz — Sand-hills — Oriental scene — Manga de Clavo — General Santa Anna — Breakfast — Escort and diligence — Santa Fe — Puente Nacional — Bridge sketched by Mrs. Ward — Country in December — Don Miguel — First impressions — Fruit — Plan del Rio — German musicians — Sleeping Captain — Approach to Jalapa — Appearance of the City — Cofre de Perote — Flowers — House and rock — Last view of Jalapa — Change of scenery — San Miguel de los Soldados — Perote — Striking scene before day-break — Non-arrival of escort — Yankee coachman — Dispute — Departure — Company of lancers — Alcalde — Breakfast at La ventilla — Pulque — Double escort — Crosses — Brigand-looking tavern-keeper — Ojo de Agua — Arrival at Puebla — Dress of the peasants — Christmas eve — Inn — "Nacimiento."
Jalapa, 23d December.
Yesterday morning, at two o'clock, we rose by candle light, with the pleasant prospect of leaving Vera Cruz and of seeing Santa Anna. Two boxes, called carriages, drawn by mules, were at the door, to convey us to Manga de Clavo. Señor V o, C n, the commander of the Jason and I being encased in them, we set off half asleep. By the faint light, we could just distinguish as we passed the gates, and the carriages ploughed their way along, nothing but sand—sand—as far as the eye could reach; a few leagues of Arabian desert.
At length we began to see symptoms of vegetation; occasional palm-trees and flowers, and by the
