prisonment, escaped from the Inquisition, from the hands of robbers, endured every privation, so that their history would form a romance. He is now evoted to literature, and though he occasionally launches forth some political pamphlet, he is probably wearied of revolutions, and possesses all the calmness of a man whose first years have been spent in excitement and troubles, and who at length finds consolation in study alone; the well of science proving to him the waters of Lethe, in which he drinks the oblivion of all his past sorrows. And it is very much the case in Mexico at present, that the most distinguished men are those who live most retired; those who have played their part on the arena of public life, have seen the inutility of their efforts in favor of their country, and have now retreated into the bosom of their families, where they endeavor to forget public evils in domestic retirement and literary occupation.
Amongst these may be reckoned Don Lucas Alaman, who passed many years in Europe, and in 1820, was deputy to the Spanish Cortes. Shortly after his return, he became minister of foreign relations, which high office he has filled during various seasons of difficulty.[1] He is a man of learning, and has always been a protector of art and science. In conversation he is more reserved, less brilliant and more minute than Count Cortina, always expressing his opinion with caution, but very ready and able to give information on anything in this country, uncon-
- ↑ He is now, September, 1842, once more filling the same situation under General Santa Anna.
