Identifier: roughreadyannual00newy (find matches)
Title: The Rough and ready annual;
Year: 1848 (1840s)
Authors:
Subjects: Mexican War, 1846-1848 Mexican War, 1846-1848 Gift books
Publisher: New-York, D. Appleton & co.: Philadelphia, G. S. Appleton
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: Sloan Foundation

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rairies—a fact that is mosthonorable to the Executive, and makes the favor the moregratifying to the friends of Carson. VERA CRUZ. Vera Cruz is noted for its strong castle, its architec-tural beauty, the unhealthiness of its climate, and forthe various sieges it has sustained. The first thing visi-ble in Mexico, upon approaching the city from the sea,is the Peak of Orizaba, which, by an optical illusion,often appears transplanted above the clouds, and evenintervening between the sun and the spectator. As thestately domes, towers, and battlements one by one heavein sight, guarded by the old grim castle of San Juande Ulloa, the view is grand and pleasing. Perhaps thefirst idea that strikes the beholder, when within a properdistance of the city, is the thought of its immensestrength. The streets arc mostly wide, straight, and wellpaved, though generally in a very filthy condition. Thestones are laid out in squares, and present a handsomeappearance. Tlie houses are mostly two stories in
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VERA CRUZ. 169 lieight, though sonic are three, aiul built of a species ofwhite stone or coral, taken from the beach. The archi-tecture is of the Moorish style, and many of the bnikl-ings are adorned with every variety of ornament whichuse or fancy can devise. To an American all thisseems strange and subduing, and it requires little en()rtto imagine himself in one of the fairy-towns of Spanishlegends. On a still evening, when the moon is lightingup the antiquated piles, this feeling is irresistible; andthe eye hangs with a thrilling sensation upon the bal-conied windows to catch a glance of some lovely being,appearing to chant a dirge of Love, and advcnitures bold, and broken hopes and hearts, and the tragedies of thecloister, and her own dark sorrowful love-dream, and allthe other minutiie of romance. The ))ublic buildings of Vera Cruz are numerous,and several of them elegant. Two of the most remark-able are the ))rinci()al church or cathedral, a beautifulstructure ; and the convent

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