284 FROM ARISPE BACK TO 
stantial articles of food are also scarce and high. Corn 
is nine dollars the fanega of two and a half bushels, 
wheat seven dollars, and other articles proportionably 
high. The reason given for the scarcity is, that for 
two years past such numbers have emigrated to Cali- 
fornia that scarcely enough was raised for the consump- 
tion of the people. This year they are returning to 
their senses and their homes, and there is every pros- 
pect of an abundance in the fall. The few stores in 
the place are miserably furnished, their stocks being 
chiefly dry goods suited to the Mexican market. The 
only redeeming feature of the place is its gardens; 
these were evidently established in days of prosperity, 
and some few are still in: tolerable keeping. We 
passed several hours in strolling through them. Lofty 
palms lift up their heads of fan-like leaves above the 
groves of pomegranates, oranges, and lemons. We 
found apricots in perfection, and the apple, pear, peach, 
and quince trees full of promise. The quince is said 
to be the best known in the world, and eatable with- 
out cooking. We enjoy here what we have been so 
long strangers to—fresh vegetables; and from the 
quantity of peas, beans, etc., consumed by our little 
party, one would suppose they were storing up a pre- 
ventive against the scurvy fora year to come. Water 
is carried about the streets in bags of raw hide. These 
have a hole at the bottom, and into it a horn is inserted 
point downwards, which acts asa valve. Two of these 
bags are slung upon the back of a donkey. 
During our stay of three days at this place we 
received much attention from the officers as well as 
from several of the citizens. The better class of Mexi- 
