though the appearance of many of them was sufficiently uncouth, still, both amongst them, and amongst the officers to whom we were afterwards introduced, there was some attempt at uniformity of dress, no traces of which could be discovered in the guard, by which we had been admitted at the gate.
Of the pleasure with which the intelligence of the arrival of a British Commission in Mexico was received by General Victoria, who came out in person to welcome us, it is needless to speak. Next to the Independence of his country, his first wish through life had been to see an intercourse established with England; and that wish was at length gratified! After a long conversation with him, he conducted us to the room where the officers were assembled, by whom we were received with deafening "Vivas:" the Band was stationed in the Corridor; toasts were given in honour of England, and her King; in which the happy coincidence of our arrival having taken place upon the day sacred to the Patroness of Mexico and of Guădălūpĕ Victoria was not forgotten. Some of the impromptus made by the officers upon this "feliz Casualidad," were clever, and the verses by no means ill turned; although their principal merit naturally consisted in conveying to us the feelings of the moment.
After making arrangements for landing our baggage at Mŏcāmbŏ, and receiving a promise that mules should be immediately provided for our conveyance
