SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



7 



ever beheld, was produced by this giant 

 atlas. 



The height of this mountain is estimated 

 at 17,000 feet above the level of the sea, and 

 the distance at which we saw it was about 

 150 miles. In a few minutes it disappeared 

 from our strained and wondering eyes, and 

 we remained like persons just awakened from 

 an extraordinary dream. The light-house of 

 Vera Cruz came soon after in view, but the 

 wonder we had seen, occupied all our thoughts 

 and conversation till bed-time. My rest was 

 disturbed by my anxiety to witness what 

 would be the effect at sun-rise; and long 

 before day-light we were on the alert to ob- 

 serve the Peak of Orizaba. It was, however, 

 some time before its snow-capped summit could 

 be distinctly discerned from the white clouds 

 by which it was surrounded, and then only by 

 observing that one part of what appeared 

 clouds remained stationary and unaltered in 



