456 



INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL. 



CHAPTER XXV. 



Departure. — Arrival at Merida. — Old Acquaintances. — Giraffes. — 

 Aspect of the Political Horizon. — The great Question of the 

 Revolution undecided. — Nomination of Deputies to the Mexican 

 Congress. — Santa Ana's Ultimatum. — Dissensions. — Pitiable 

 Condition of the State. — Cause of the Convulsions of the South- 

 ern Republics. — State Rights. — Preparations for Departure from 

 the Country. — Invasion of Yucatan. — Parting with Friends. — 

 Embarcation for Havana. — Arrival there. — A, Paseo. — The 

 Tomb of Columbus. — Passage Home. — Conclusion. 



At two o'clock we mounted for Merida, nine 

 leagues distant. We did not expect to reach it till 

 night, and, from the unfortunate condition of our 

 travelling costume, did not care to enter the capital 

 by daylight ; but, pushing on, and miscalculating the 

 pace of our horses, we found ourselves in the suburbs 

 at that unlucky hour when, the excessive heat being 

 over, the inhabitants, in full dress, were sitting in 

 the doorways or along the side- walks, talking over 

 the news of the day, and particularly alive to the ap- 

 pearance of such a spectacle as our party presented. 

 We rode the whole length of the principal street, 

 running the gauntlet between long rows of eyes, 

 and conscious that we were not looked upon as 

 making a very triumphal entry. Approaching the 

 plaza, an old acquaintance greeted us, and accom- 

 panied us to the Casa de las Diligencias, a new es- 

 tabUshment, opened since our departure, opposite 

 the convent, one of the largest and finest in the 



