Mexico. 



MEXICO, OR NEW SPAIN. 



6i 



is barren, lb that their provifions are far fetched, and dear bought. Vera 

 Cruz having been taken and plundered by the buccaneers feveral times, the 

 Spaniards have built fcrts, and keep centinels all along the coaft, their ordi- 

 nary garrifon confifting only of 60 horfe, and two companies of foot. 



The old town ftood about a mile from the fliore, which was fir^l: difcovered 

 by Grijaha in 1518. Next year Cortez built a town here, and with great 

 ceremony gave it the name of Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz. It was called Villa 

 PJca on account of the gold that was found there by Grijaha ; and the fir- 

 name of La Vera Cruz was added, becaufe Cortez arrived here on a Good 

 Friday, and was determined to conquer the country or die, having for that 

 purpofe funk the fhips that brought his handful of men hither, that they 

 might have no hopes of ever going back again by fea. Here it was that the 

 firft 500 Spaniards fortified themfelves againft millions of the Indians. It 

 frands in a fpacious flat, on the north fide of a river, which is quite dry fome 

 part of the year, but at other tin:ies runs very ftrong. 



The men are haughty, and fond of flate and eafe, for which reafon they 

 are flothful, though they underftand trade very well. They are alfo very 

 fjpeilliticus, wearing great firings of beads about their necks, and fill their 

 houfes with pictures and images of their faints. They live moftly on choco- 

 late and fweet-meats, are extrem.ely fober, and eat little flefli. The women 

 are obliged t3 keep above ftairs from converfation of the men, and very 

 rarely go abroad ; at which time thofe of figure go in a coach or a chair, 

 and the refl in fine filk veils, from the crown of their heads to their feet, 

 with only a fmall opening on the right fide for them to fee their way. In 

 their houfes they wear nothing over their fiiifts, but a filk petticoat, laced 

 with gold or filver, and only a ribbon plaited on their hair, with gold brace- 

 lets, and chains about their necks, and emerald pendants at their ears. 



The unhealthy feafon here is chiefly from about April to November, during 

 which is rains almcft continually ; but for the reft of the year this is a very 

 pleafant place, the wind and the fun tempering each other without rain. For 

 45 miles towards Mexico, tlie country is hot and fickly, but from thence the 

 clim.ate begins to be more temperate. 



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