since their first invention, heaven alone knows in what century.
9th.—We rode last evening to another estate belonging to this family, called San Mateo, one of the prettiest places on a small scale we have seen here. The road, or rather path, led us through fields, covered with the greatest profusion of bright yellow sunflowers and scarlet dahlias, so tall that they came up to our horses' ears. The house is built in the cottage style, (the first specimen of that style we have seen here) with a piazza in front, large trees shading it, and a beautiful view from the height on which it stands. It has rather an English than a Spanish look. No one lives there but the agent and his wife—and a fierce dog.
11th.—This morning we rose at five, mounted our horses, and accompanied by Señor E, together with the administrador and the old gardener, set off to take our last, long ride from San Xavier; for this evening we return to Mexico. The morning was fine and fresh, the very morning for a gallop, and the country looked beautiful. We rode first to the Lecheria, where Generals Bustamante and Paredes had their last eventful conference, having passed on our way, various old churches and villages, and another hacienda also belonging to this family; whose estates seem countless. The Lecheria is a large unoccupied house; or occupied only by the administrador and his family. It is a fine building, and its court-yard within is filled with flowers; but having neither garden nor trees near it, seems
