24 SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO, 



till October, which is also the hottest, proves 

 fatal to a great proportion not only of stran- 

 gers, but of the Mexicans themselves ; for 

 not to mention the many other afflictions to 

 which frail nature is heir, that scourge of 

 man, the black vomit, would alone, it might 

 be thought, defend the city from the intrusion 

 of visitors, particularly such as myself, 

 whom motives of curiosity only had carried 

 to explore the celebrated capital of the empire, 

 and the wonders of this, to Europeans, almost 

 unknown country ; — the source of such im- 

 mense mineralogical riches, and the scene, 

 rendered interesting by our recollection, of 

 the marvellous feats of Cortez, and the me- 

 lancholy fate of Montezuma. 



Society here, as may be anticipated, is ex- 

 tremely confined, and morality at a very low 

 ebb. Few European merchants, whom the 

 hopes of gain have allured to reside here, 

 are married. Of the females I can say no- 



