LITMIR.BIZ

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      "For June and December will never agree."

      The weather is lovely, the air fresh and clear, the sky one vast expanse of bright blue, without a single cloud. Early this morning it was cool, but now, by ten o'clock, the air is as soft and balmy as on a summer-day with us.

      28th.—Day of the memorable serenade. After dinner some ladies paid me a visit, amongst others the wife and daughter of the Spanish consul, Señor M—y, who were accompanied by the sister of Count A—a. They and a few gentlemen arrived about six o'clock, and it was said that the serenade would not begin till twelve. It may be supposed that our conversation, however agreeable it might be, would scarcely hold out that time. In fact, by nine o'clock, we were all nearly overcome by sleep, and by ten I believe we were already in a refreshing slumber, when we were awakened by the sound of crowds assembling before the door, and of carriages arriving and stopping. Not knowing who the occupants might be, we could not invite them in, which seemed very inhospitable, as the night, though fine, was cold and chilly. About eleven the Count and Countess C—a arrived, and the Señora de G——, a remarkably handsome woman, a Spaniard, looking nearly as young as her daughters; also the pretty daughters of the proprietress of this house, who was a beauty, and is married to her third husband; and a lively little talkative person, the Señora de L—n, all Spanish; and who, some on that account, and others from their husbands having been former friends of C—n's have not waited for the ceremony of receiving cards. Gradually, however, several Mexican ladies, whom we had sent out to invite, came in. Others remained in their carriages, excusing themselves on the plea of their not being en toilette. We had men à discrétion, and the rooms were crowded.

      About midnight arrived a troop of Mexican soldiers, carrying torches, and a multitude of musicians, both amateur and professional, chiefly the former, and men carrying music-stands, violins, violoncellos, French horns, etc., together with an immense crowd, mingled with numbers of léperos, so that the great space in front of the house as far as the aqueduct, and all beyond and along the street as far as we could see, was covered with people and carriages. We threw open the windows, which are on a level with the ground, with large balconies and wide iron gratings, and the scene by the torch-light was very curious. The Mexican troops holding lights for the musicians, and they of various countries, Spanish, German, and Mexican; the léperos, with their ragged blankets and wild eyes, that gleamed in the light of the torches; the ladies within, and the crowd without, all formed a very amusing spectacle.

      At length the musicians struck up in full chorus, accompanied by the whole orchestra. The voices were very fine, and the instrumental music so good, I could hardly believe that almost all were amateur performers.

      A hymn, which had been composed for the occasion, and of which we had received an elegantly-bound copy in the morning, was particularly effective. The music was composed by Señor Retes, and the words by Señor Covo, both Spaniards. Various overtures from the last operas were played, and at the end of what seemed to be the first act, in the midst of deafening applause from the crowd, C—n made me return thanks from the window in beautiful impromptu Spanish! Then came shouts of "Viva la Espana!" "Viva Ysabel Segunda!" "Viva el Ministro de Espana!" Great and continued cheering. Then C—n gave in return, "Viva la Republica Mexicana!" "Viva Bustamente!" and the shouting was tremendous. At last an Andalusian in the crowd shouted out, "Viva todo el Mundo!" (Long live everybody), which piece of wit was followed by general laughter.

      After hot punch and cigars had been handed about out of doors, a necessary refreshment in this cold night, the music recommenced, and the whole ended with the national hymn of Spain, with appropriate words. A young Spanish girl, whose voice is celebrated here, was then entreated by those within, and beseeched by those without, to sing alone the hymn composed in honour of C—n, which she naturally felt some hesitation in doing before such an immense audience. However, she consented at last, and in a voice like a clarion, accompanied by the orchestra, sung each verse alone, joined in the chorus by the whole crowd. I give you a copy:

      Himno Patriotico que varios Espanoles, Residentes en Mexico, dedican al

       Esmo. Sr. Don A—— C—— de la B——, Ministro Plenipotenciario de S. M.

       C. en la República, con Motivo de su Llegada a dicha Capital.

      Música del Sr. J. N. DE RETES; Palabras del Sr. DN. JUAN COVO.

      CORO.

      Triunfamos, amigos,

       Triunfamos enfin,

       Y libre respir

       La Patria del Cid.

      La augusta Cristina, De Espana embeleso, El mas tierno beso Imprime á Ysabel: Y "Reina," le dice, "No ya sobre esclavos; Sobre Iberos bravos, Sobre un pueblo fiel."

      Triunfamos, amigos, etc.

      Donde está de Carlos

       La perfida hueste?

       Un rayo celeste

       Polvo la tornó.

       Rayo que al malvado

       Hundio en el abismo—

       Rayo que al Carlismo

       Libertad lanzó.

      Triunfamos, amigos, etc.

      Al bravo Caudillo,

       Al bueno, al valiente,

       Ciñamos la frente

       De mirto y laurel.

       Tu diestra animosa,

       Heroico guerrero,

       Tu diestra, Espartero, Sojuzgó al infiel.

      Triunfamos, amigos, etc.

      Veranse acatadas

       Nuestras santas leyes;

       Temblarán los Reyes

       De España al poder.

       Y el cetro de oprobrio,

       Si empuna un tirano,

       De su infame mano

       Le harémos caer.

      Triunfamos, amigos, etc.

      Salud á Ysabela, Salud á Cristina, Quel el cielo destina La patria á salvar. Y el libre corone La candida frente De aquella inocente Que juró amparar. Triunfamos, amigos, etc.

      Y tu, mensagero

       De paz y ventura,

       Oye la voz pura

       De nuestra lealtad.

       Oye los acentos

       Que al cielo elevamos,

       Oye cual gritamos,

       Patria! Libertad!

      Triunfamos, amigos, etc.

      Tu el simbolo digno

       Serás, C—n,

       De grata reunion,

       De eterna amistad,

       Que ya, en ambos mundos,

       La insana discordía

       Trocóse en concordía

       Y fraternidad.

      Triunfamos, amigos, etc.

      TRANSLATION.

      Patriotic Hymn which various Spaniards, resident in Mexico, dedicate to his

       Excellency Señor Don A—— C—— de la B——, Minister Plenipotentiary and

       Envoy Extraordinary from H. C. M. to the Republic, to celebrate his arrival

       in this Capital.

      The music by Señor Don J. N. De Retes; the words by Señor Don Juan Covo.

      CHORUS.

      Let us triumph, my friends,

      

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