second of October, but this is not followed up on the part of Generals Bustamante and Almonte, while the Vice-President, Hechavarria, has retired to his house, blaming Almonte for having published an official document without his knowledge. Everything is in a state of perfect anarchy and confusion. The léperos are going about armed, and no one remains in Mexico but those who are obliged to do so. It is said that in Tacubaya great uneasiness prevailed as to the result of this new movement, and Santa Anna offered an asylum there to the Congress and Conservative Body, although, by the ultimatum from Tacubaya, published on the twenty-eighth, the Constitution of '36 was concluded, and of course these authorities were politically dead. . . .
I had hardly written these words, when the roaring of cannon announced that hostilities have recommenced.
5th.—For the last few days, we have been listening to the cannon, and, even at this distance, the noise, reverberating amongst the hills, is tremendous. The sound is horrible! There is something appalling, yet humbling, in these manifestations of man's wrath and man's power, when he seems to usurp his Maker's attributes, and to mimic his thunder. The Divine spark kindled within him, has taught him how to draw these metals from the earth's bosom; how to combine these simple materials, so as to produce with them an effect as terrible as the thunderbolts of heaven. His earthly passions have prompted him so to wield these instruments of destruction, as to deface God's image in his fellow-men. The power is
