trious Drake, and Sir Walter Raleigh, as pirates. In this comfortable degree of ignorance, it is not strange that they viewed with surprise my walking-stick gun, my portable chair and table, my camera lucida, and other little specimens of English ingenuity. Nothing gave them more pleasure than a volume of the plates of Ackerman's Fashions, which I had carried out; it was in prodigious request, and they looked with astonishment at some prints of the public buildings of London. But their wonder was greatly augmented when they were informed of the purposes for which they were built we heard them exclaim in amazement to each other, and yet these people are not Christians,' what a pity they are not Christians! But the day, I hope, has arrived, when Spanish policy can no longer keep its American subjects in such darkness, and when the obscuration of the Mexicans will vanish. On the other hand, Europe has much to learn respecting Ame rica. Even the very names of some of the finest cities of the Mexicans are almost unknown to her; and therefore we ought to pause before we laugh at the ignorance of the American Spaniard. How very few of the inhabitants of Great Britain have heard of Puebla or Guatamala, yet they are superb, populous, and wealthy cities; and it is from New Spain that Europeans principally draw the coin which hourly passes through their hands, and so much contributes to the ease and elegance of life." Speaking of the Pulque, the common and favourite beverage of the Mexicans, Mr. B. says, "A few miles before we reached Perote we had come to large plantations of the great American aloe (Agava Americana). It is grown in considerable quantities, and this was the first plantation of it which we had met with. From it is made the favourite liquor of the Mexicans called Pulque Intending to examine it more at leisure, we rose before the sun the next morning, and found it growing in the streets and round the town. It attains a size which surprises those who have only seen it in European hot-houses. We measured some of the leaves, and found them ten feet long,fifteen inches wide, and eight thick: many of them were just open; their flower-stalk twenty feet high, and expanding, like rich candelabras, their arms clustered with yellow flowers. The author adds at a later period respecting this plant that it is "called here the Maguey, and is of the greatest consequence to the Mexicans, and very largely cultivated from Perote to Tolucca, and I believe much further. From it is made the refreshing and favourite beverage called pulque. It is in universal request among the inhabitants of the capital, Puebla, Tolucca, &c. and such is the consumption, that the three cities just mentioned are said by Baron Humboldt to have paid duties upon it to the amount of 312,739 dollars in the year 1793. Plantations of the agava are very extensive between Chollula and San Martin, the great road running for miles through them. They are set about five or six feet asunder, and in favourable situations come into bloom in about ten years, at which period the valuable liquor is to be procured. As soon as the owner perceives the plant preparing to throw up its long flower-stem, he cuts out the leaves which forms its centre, and hollows it out into the shape of a bowl, at the same time removing most of the other leaves, so that the whole sap destined for their supply flows to the great stein, and is received by the bowl-shaped cavity, into which it runs with such rapidity as to require to be emptied several times a day, for a space of two months. The liquor, when collected, is placed in jars or skins; it undergoes a slight fermentation, which takes place in a few days, and is immediately fit for drinking. Strangers prefer it fresh, but the natives seldom take it until it has acquired a strong taste, and a disagreeable fetid smell, denominated fuerte, when, it is esteemed in high perfection. "A strong spirit, called pulque brandy, is distilled from the liquor. The leaves form the roofs of some Indian houses, and fences, ropes, thread, cloth, and paper, are also made from it; some part of the plant is also used medicinally, and the root, prepared with sugar, is converted into dulces or sweetmeats." Having reached the city of Puebla, Mr. B. states, "In the afternoon we ascended the high tower of the cathedral, and enjoyed the splendid view of Puebla and the neighbourhood. Several of the most distinguished volcanic and other mountains are in the vicinity, but from this view, Popocatepeti loses much of its grandeur. The pyramid of Chollula is only six miles off, and distinctly seen,-its base exceeds that of the great Pyramid of Egypt; but the work of man, when standing in comparison with the surrounding pyramids of nature, whose tops are covered with eternal snows, dwindles into insignificance. The labour of ascending the tower is amply repaid by the view dations of which were laid by the Spanof this regular and beautiful city, the founiards in 1533. It now contains about 90,000 inhabitants, many of whom are wealthy, and live in good style. It is in the splendour of its churches, and other religious edifices, and in the richness of their endowments, that Puebla must take the first rank in the Christian world. In the profuse ornaments of the altars, the sacred vessels and vestments, the expensive carving and gilding of the interior of the churches-in the pompous religious processions and other ceremonies, it yields to no city in America or Europe. The antiqua rian will here feel a peculiar gratification; --he will find himself removed to the period of our Henrys and Edwards, not only in the style of building of those times, but even in the similarity of customs and manners, the same religion and ceremonies, the same observance of holydays, with the religious processions that at once were the solace and amusement of our ancestors.In the churches he will see (as if the work of yesterday) the same profusion of sculpture, painting, gilding,now only to be found in the fragments of our most ancient temples. The statues, balustrades, candlesticks, candelabras, &c. of massive gold and silver,which have long disappeared in EngJand, are here in daily use, and the very dresses and accoutrements of the country gentlemen strongly remind us of the period of the discovery of America, the costumes having undergone very little alteration from their first introduction by the Spaniards the same high fronted military saddle, with its defensive cantlets and covering for the horse,that was worn by Cortez, and the enormous spur of our Henry the Seventh, are now in constant use by the paysanas, or country gentlemen. "The Cathedral, which forms one side of the great square, is a large pile of building, with little architectural ornament in its exterior, but its interior furniture, if I may so call it, is rich beyond description. So much is it covered with ornainents, that the whole of its fine effect is considerably diminished. The centre of the body, for example, is so overloaded as to obstruct the view of its length. "Towards the south is placed the high altar, a most superb temple, of exquisite workmanship, and in elegant taste, lately finished by an Italian artist, from Roman designs, but executed in Mexico, and of native materials. It is of such size as to occupy a considerable part of the cathedral, and to reach into the dome. Its fault is that it is too large, being disproportionate to the building in which it is placed, and also too modern to harmonise with the surrounding objects. The materials are the most beautiful marble and precious stones that can be found in New Spain: its numerous and lofty columns, with plinths and capitals of burnished gold, the magnificent altar of silver crowded with statues, &c. &c. have an unequalled effect. I have travelled over most of Europe, but I know nothing like it; and only regret it does not belong to a building more worthy of it. "The side-altars are all crowded to excess with statues, carving, gilding, silver candelabras, balustrades, gold chandeliers, &c. Amongst the many paintings that are deposited in panels, set in superb frames, are several which appear to be of the firstrate quality of art, but all approach to them is so guarded by railings, and so little light is admitted, that they are lost in obscurity. It was Holy-week, and in the evening I accompanied Mr. Furlong and There is also another remarkable establishment, "A place of religious retreat, called a house of spiritual retirement, in which persons of either sex, desirous of leaving the bustle and confusion of the world, the better to prepare themselves by prayer, in silence and solitude, for the sacraments and other duties required by the Catholic religion, may retire, free of expense, for the space of eight days. The building appropriated for this laudable purpose is admirably calculated to withdraw the mind from human affairs, and to fit it to receive divine inspiration, by abstraction from all sublunary and temporal concerns; and it has been amply endowed with revenues greater than those of most of the charitable institutions in Europe. The structure itself is magnificent, and of greater dimensions than the It encloses two palaces of Great Britain. squares, one having a fine garden, into which the windows of the apartments occupied by the penitents open. Each persoa has a comfortable room, containing a small well executed crucifix, and other emblems of religion, a wooden bedstead, chair, and table. I counted seventy-one apartments, all numbered, and here the penitents pass their time, except when they meet at their short and frugal meals, or at the appointed hours of public devotion in the chapel.The long galleries in which they may enjoy exercise are of the greatest splendour, and furnished with solid silver and gold crucifixes, and other religious ornaments, forming a striking contrast to the sombre cells in which the solitary spends the greatest part of his time. They are also decorated with excellent paintings, mostly of the old school, the subjects taken from the Holy Scriptures, or illustrative of the lives of the most remarkable Patriarchs, Saints, and Martyrs. Appropriate quotations in Spanish, from the Psalms of David, and other portions of the sacred writings best adapted to excite the soul to gratitude for the mercy of the omnipotent Creator, and after seclusion to return the penitent to the world improved and amended, are interspersed. The apartments are generally occupied about twelve times in the year, and some oftener, so that upwards of one thousand persons annually receive the benefit of this pious foundation. "It is inhabited alternately by male and female occupants, the abode of the clergymen being in a separate court of the building. "Puebla was formerly celebrated for its manufactory of coarse woollen cloths, but it has now fallen off in this branch of manufacture. We visited the manufactory of earthen ware and glass; at the former we saw large ornamental pieces in colour and pattern much resembling the china brought from the east. The painting is executed by men seated on the ground. The machinery for grinding the flint used in the glaze, and for turning the ware is very simple and rude. They were much pleased with our visit,and without hesitation explained the whole process. They were aware how greatly they were behind the manufactories of Europe, and told us, that no clay fit for the fabrication of porcelain or fine earthenware had as yet been found in Mexico; but in the coarse red ware they excel, both as to the elegance of the forms and patterns, and as it regards the size and lightness. The whole of their cooking utensils are formed of earthenware, metal vessels being unknown in their kitchens; to which, indeed, the former is preferable, and so cheap that a few shillings will furnish all the requisites for a gentleman's cuisine. "The manufactory of glass has been lately much improved, and it is probable that shortly, with the adoption of some of our machinery in the preparation of the materials, the importation from Europe will be discontinued. They copy the forms well, and in the texture and colour of their glass they already rival us. "Soap is a considerable article of traffic in Puebla, being sent from thence to most cities of New Spain It is made in the shape of birds, fishes, beasts, fruits ;indeed they give it a thousand fantastical forms. "The Mexican confectioners excel in their sweetmeats and cakes, which are articles very much in request on Spanish tables. I was told that, at the coronation of the Emperor,upwards of five hundred kinds of dulces were served up in the desert. "That many of the inhabitants of Puebla are wealthy is attested by their equipages and retinues." 1. Do GOLDEN RULES FOR HONEST MEN. (Mon Mag.) O no act which you feel any repugnance to have seen or known by others, for the necessity of being secret implies some vice in the act, or some error in the reasoning which leads to its self-justification. 2. Do nothing to any sentient or suffering being, which you would feel to be cruel or unjust towards yourself, if your beings or situations were changed; and mark, that though this rule is erroneously limited to the relations of man to man, and is therefore practised too of ten with a view to reciprocal advantage; yet it is genuine virtue only, when practised towards those from whom no reciprocal advantage can be derived, as when applied to the meanest animals, and every helpless sentient object. 3. To live and let live, applies to all social and physical relations; for the world is the common property of all the beings who have been evolved by the progress of creative power, and all are necessary parts of a great and harmonious scheme, to which it is our duty to submit, while the happiness of all ought, as far as possible, to be rendered accordant with our own. 4. Hesitate, doubt, inquire, and, if possible, forbear, whenever your intention is dangerous or fatal to the welfare of another; for it is too late to correct an error of judgment after any mischief to another has been perpetrated. 5. Give countenance to no slander relative to another in his absence; and, if obliged to hear slanders, discharge your own responsibility by the early communication of them to the slandered: for he who hears any slander, who takes no measures to procure its contradiction, and who, from any sinister motive, declines to bring the slanderer and slandered face to face, is an accessory, and as culpable as the propagator; while the baseness and mischief of slander would be rooted from society, if hearers forbore to be quiescent accessories. 6. Beware of envy, and of a practice of detracting from the merit of those whom you have not the industry, the inclination, or the talent, to imitate; for it is your duty either to ad mire or emulate others, or to be content with the station in which your birth, talents, or industry have placed you. 7. Be as useful as possible in the social sphere which you fill; for a man in society does not live for himself alone; and, as he derives benefits from others, so he ought to confer them as often as he has the opportunity and the power. 8. Remember that all wealth and grandeur is sustained by the industry and privations of others: for money is but the representative of products, and products are the results of labour; thus income from interest of money is drawn from the industry or privations of the borrower; that from rent, from the industry or privations of the tenant; and that from manufacturing products, from the industry or privations of the work 10. Avoid all those insanities of the human mind engendered by unwise authors, and early errors-such as the passion after posthumous fame, which can seldom be realized, and can never be felt, -as the love of wealth beyond the means of comfortable enjoyment, -as the love of renown among beings who forget you in sleep, and in death, -as the love of military glory, excited to gratify the bad passions of weak princes and wicked ministers,-as the ambition after titles, which mean no more than the syllables of which they consist, and as the zeal of self-devotion in any cause of the hour, the object and use of which will be forgotten in a year, and laughed at by the next generation. 11. Seek wisdom in all things, that you may not be the dupe and slave of the craft and subtlety of others, that you may be enabled to play an independent part in society; and search deeply, that you may avoid conceit, by knowing how little is known even by the wisest. 12. Be not inconsistent in your expectations; and, having chosen your walk through life,pursue it with patience, industry, and contentment : thus if superiority in knowledge is your object, do not envy the accumulations of your thrifty neighbour: if wealth is your object do not wonder that your character for knowledge, justice, and liberality stands not so high as that of others; and, if the reputation of virtue is your ambition, you must govern your passions, practise forbearance without repining, and consult the interest of others as much as your own. 13. Let scintillations of pride be corrected, by considering that you are mortal; that, only a few years ago you were not, and, in a few years hence, will not be; and that an eternity preceded and will follow you, reducing your span of life to a point; that your possessions, however vast, are but a speck on a little globe, which is itself but a point in the universe; and that your bodily structure, your secretions, your mechanism, and your assimilations, are exactly the same as those of all other men, and, if not the same, you would be diseased, or a monster; and remember that wisdom, manners, and virtue, constitute the only difference among human creatures. 14. Respect the means adopted by public social policy, to subjugate the practices of the ignorant and unthinking to their hopes, fears, and superstitions; for man, though a reasoning, is not a rational animal, and for once that he is right, he is wrong a hundred times; consequently his moral practices in society, which are governed by his imperfect reason, his selfish craft, and his unruly passions, generally require an influence beyond his ordinary nature, to render his association bearable. 15. Promote education, free inquiry, and truth; for untaught man is the patient of the circumstances by which he is surrounded, and the mere creature of imitation,-a mahomedan Turk, if born in Turkey; a Siberian polytheist, if born in Siberia; or a protestant or popish Christian, if born in Holland, or Spain; the faith, manners, and habits of each country, constituting individual character. To arrive at universal truth, to avoid the established errors of localities, and to become free from the continuous errors of previous ages, are therefore the primary duties of all men who aspire to the attributes of wisdom. opinions and habits of your fellowcreatures, each of whom is the passive instrument of his education and associations. Pity and teach, if your practices are unquestionably better; but do not persecute or inflict punishment, either for ignorance, or for errors in the formation of character, arising from the vices of society, the prejudices imbibed in youth, or the inattention of govern 16. Practise toleration towards the ments. SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS. MATTHEW vi. 7. (Sel. Mag.) VAIN REPETITIONS. "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." Next morning we started again at an early hour, as soon as the reisser had got through their prayers. With one of them this was a very long and serious concern. He generally spent an hour in this exercise every morning, and as much in the evening, besides being very punctual in the performance of this duty at the intervening periods of stated prayer. Certainly he did not pray in secret, communing with his heart, but vociferated with all his might, and repeated the words as fast as his tongue could give them utterance. The form and words of his prayer were the same with those of the others; but this good man had made a vow to repeat certain words of the prayer a given number of times both night and morning. The word Rabboni for example, answering to our word Lord, he would bind himself to repeat a hundred or two hundred times, twice a day and accordingly went on, in the hearing of all the party, and on his knees, sometimes with his face directed steadily to heaven, at other times bowing down to the ground, and calling out Rabboni, Rabboni, Rabboni, &c. as last as he could articulate the words, like a school-boy going through his task, not like a man who, praying with the beart and the understanding also, continues longer on his knees in the rap ture of devotion; and who like Jacob pleading with the Lord, will not let him go unless he bless him. 6 Having settled his account with the word Rabboni, which the telling of his beads enabled him to know when he had done, he proceeded to dispose of his other vows in a similar manner. Allah houakbar, God most great,' perhaps came next, and this he would go on with as with the other, repeating the words as fast as he could frame his organs to pronounce them,—and so on with respect to others. The usual number for repeating certain words is thirtythree times each; and the Mussulman's beads are strung accordingly, three times thirty-three, with a large dividing bead between each division. To hear this man repeat his prayers, his variety of unconnected tones running through all the notes of the gamut, produced quite a ludicrous effect: you would say this man was caricaturing or making a farce of devotion; but to look at him while engaged in the performance nothing could be more serious or devout, or more abstracted from the world, than his appearance. All his countrymen thought well of his devotions, and never manifested the slightest disposition to smile at him for his oddities; on the contrary, they said that he was a rich man and would be a great sheikh. So great is their respect for prayer, that raillery on that topic would not be tolerable among Mussulmans." RICHARDSON'S TRAVELS. |