All night long the corregidor and his myrmidons worked at their task. A body of leperos were enlisted in the service, and for a small bribe the inhabitants assisted to destroy their own dwellings. By the light of a hundred torches pick-axe and crowbar were gleaming, and under their heavy strokes house after house was levelled and removed. Exactly at sunrise the viceroy's carriage reached the place, but the work was already done. Jolting over the fragments that strewed the path, and along the unpaved road, it yet was able to pass through the new street into the suburbs. The name of the Calle de Revilla-Gigedo still attests the truth of the story.

The power of the viceroy was absolute, and RevillaGigedo II. occasionally exercised it in the punishment of misdemeanors which are not usually amenable to law. Among the Creole nobles then resident in Mexico was a certain marquis endowed with immense wealth and two beautiful daughters. He had no other children, and it was hard to say whether he was caused most anxiety by his money or his heiresses. The elder, who bore her father's title, had fair golden hair and blue eyes, a very unusual style of beauty in Mexico. The younger was dark, with eyes like a gazelle, and hair black as the raven's plumage. Both were alike in one respect. They refused all offers of marriage. The marquis desired to see them well settled in life, and was quite worn out in persuading them to know their own minds.

One night the marquis was aroused from his sleep and summoned to the viceregal palace. What could he be wanted for at that unusual hour? He hur

ried to the viceroy's presence. "Marquis," said his excellency, "my superintendent of police complains to

me that you did not take proper care to secure the doors of your mansion last evening." "Indeed, I assure your excellency that my steward locked both the great gate and the outer door last night." But you have a postern opening into the street, and you were only saved by the watchfulness of my police from being robbed of your most valuable treasures—which I now restore to you." At these words a door suddenly opened, and there were the two daughters of the marquis, dressed in travelling costume, and locked in one another's arms. "And here are the thieves," he added; and in an opposite apartment were seen two of the most dissipated young men about the court.

The truth now flashed upon the mind of the father. "You see, marquis," said the viceroy, "that but for my police, you would have had the honour of being father-in-law to two of the greatest scamps in my viceroyalty. Look what a dilemma your carelessness has brought me into, my dear sir! I am obliged to wound the feelings of two of the most lovely ladies in my court to save them from the machinations of scoundrels unworthy of their charms, and I fear they will never forgive me! Farewell, marquis, take my advice and brick up your postern. Calderon was a wise man, and he tells us that a house with two doors is hard to keep. As for these young scapegraces, they sail in the next galleon for Manilla, where they can exercise their fascinating powers on the maidens of the Philippines." Transportation was rather a stern punishment for attempting to marry a fair and wealthy maiden.

This illustrious ruler was followed by Branciforte, who stands in unenviable contrast with his predecessor. Branciforte commenced a career of the most unprincipled extortion. Offices of high importance

were openly sold; and as Spain was then at war with France, the viceroy thought it a good opportunity to confiscate the property of any Frenchmen that could be found in Mexico. The country was then so closed against foreigners that but few were discovered, yet what he could do in this way he did with unsparing avarice. The court was at once a scene of profligacy and of corruption. When at last the public dissatisfaction reached a height which imperatively called for recognition, Branciforte left the country loaded with the curses of the people, and carrying with him 5,000,000 dollars which he had plundered from them. Yet he was a favourite at court, and the king sent him (appropriately enough we think) the Order of the Golden Fleece. With all his profligacy he affected great reverence for the Virgin of Guadalupe, and paid her many visits, but no money. He desired to satisfy his conscience with the cheapest form of indulgence.

Three viceroys presided over New Spain during the ten years that intervened between the rule of Branciforte and the end of the viceregency. The internal prosperity of the country and its resources were still great, but various murmurings were ominous of the revolt now so near at hand. Azunza, who came after Branciforte, was personally popular, but the government of Spain, under the handling of Godoy, was ill-disposed to him, and he was removed to make way for Berenguer de Marquina, who had purchased the appointment. Two years elapsed, and, in 1803, Iturrigaray was sent to take the post. His term of office was signalized by the arrival of Humboldt in the colony, who received every assistance in his great work upon the state of Mexico, a work in which its resources and capabilities first became known to the outer world.

At this period a loyal feeling was prevalent in Mexico, and when, in 1806, the intelligence of the destruction of the combined fleets was received, the Mexicans gave 30,000 dollars for the widows of the fallen. But the patience of the country was sorely tried by demands for taxes to maintain the European war, and when Ferdinand VII. was displaced by Napoleon, all further hold over the country was virtually at an end. Through what struggles its independence was finally acknowledged will form the subject of our next chapter.

CHAPTER V.

MEXICO FROM THE REVOLUTION TO THE PRESENT

TIME.

Loyalty of Mexico to Ferdinand VII.-Discontent of the Creoles -Pride of the Spaniards-Hidalgo's conspiracy-Its early success- -Spiritual weapons employed against it-Hesitation of Hidalgo-Cruelty and success of Calleja-Hidalgo's capture and execution-Unconciliatory policy of Calleja-Junta of Chilpanzingo-Insurrection under Morelos-Renewed excesses -Siege of Cuautla-Noble behaviour of Bravo-Retreat of Morelos-Calleja viceroy-Death of Morelos and suppression of the rebellion-Romantic adventures of Victoria-Apodaca viceroy-Insurrection under Mina-Apodaca determines to suppress the constitution-Employs Iturbide-Defection of Iturbide-Plan of Iguala-O'Donoju viceroy-Acknowledges the independence of Mexico-Iturbide emperor—The new constitution-Revolt of Santa Anna-Iturbide in exileHis return, capture, and execution-His character-State of political parties-Federalists and centralists-Victoria president-The rival lodges-Pedraga president-Pronunciamento of Mexico-Guerrero president-Second revolt of Santa Anna -Bustamente president-Last efforts of Spain - Alaman prime minister-Internal prosperity-Third revolt of Santa Anna-His early history-military exploits-Clever stratagems-Outwits the Spanish general—Santa Anna president -War in Texas-Santa Anna a prisoner-Second presidency of Bustamente-French siege of Vera Cruz-Second presidency of Santa Anna-American war-Herrera president— Third presidency of Santa Anna-Comonfort president.

WHEN Spain was overrun by the armies of France, the authority of the Spanish government in Mexico