Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1842-05-24
From the Nelo- Orleans Picay7,ne.
SKETCHES OF MEXICO.


The city of PueUa. Next TO the city
of Mexico itself in size and population,
yet hardly second in wealth and splendor,
is the city Of Puabla. 1t ranks among the
proudest Of Mexican achievements 10 the
way Of architectural magniiCence, and
many travellers hold It to be superior in
beauty aad grandeur even to the capital.
/, boasts Of several large churches, the
principal Of which is the cathedral OF San
Sebastian, lofty edicc Of castolated and
imposing appearance, situated in an i'm
mense square, and elevated above the sur
rounding level, three or four feet, upon an
extensive foundation Of stone. The walls
are Of heavy masonry, very thick, and
covered with plaster work outside.
We will conduct the reader to the SUI
perb and gorgeous interior Of this church,
and endeavor, as far as brief limits Of
space will! allow, to call into existence an
idea Of the place, among those who have
never seen it. The lofty ceiling, filled
with elaborate paintings of the saints and
fathers Of the church, first catches attcn-
ton, by the admirable management Of
light in which it is seen. Then the eye
will fall upon the richly decorated alter,
and long to pierce the mysterious recesses
in its vicinity. From this hopeless scru-
tiny, observation will roll TO the tall, huied
marble columns, with thin metal interSt-
ces inwrought, which give pleasing and
picturesque interest to the spcclatorS.-
Then the massive chandeliers arrest atten-
ton, and the young travellers thought flies
ie of NO toll 81
association being irresistible, almost giving
location to the Eastern story, while fan
ciful brain win find the church a magic
castle. and the rich caves of the genll
among the surrounding mines Of Mexico.
The great chandeliers suspended over the
isles are Of solid silver, and one hanging
from the centre Of the building is partially
wrought of gold, the chains and branches
forming n rich intermingling of the two
precious materials. Ornamental works OF
elaborate execution around the altar, and
also the various symbols Of the faith, re
formed from tceming mineral riches of the
soil, making pety itself most inconsis-
tent worshipper at the throne of Mammon!
The hearts Of the hungry and destitute
kneelers in that rcsplendant shrine, may,
perhaps, sometimes feel a misgiving as 10
why gold and silver should be made an in
ducement for men to pray, but the old
rule is over them with an iron grasp, while
the bait is made Of gold, and the holy
church feeds them, like the starving wretch
at the pastry cooks window, with IA bonti-
cent glimpse Of what they must touch not,
taste not, handle not
The statistical position Of the city Of
PuebIa is given 10 be in latitude 10 deg.
longitude 81 deg. l minute, and the poPu-
lation may not be less than 10000. 1t IS
not over ninety miles from the capital OF
the republic, and perhaps less, as we do
not mean to trammel ourselves under to-
biographical descriptions, and only mean,
in the present excitement Of interest, re-
garding the section, to throw together
few brief chapters for the reading o! to-
day, and designed only for news paper
life.
The mountains around yield up their
treasures to form mountains OF wealth in
the churches, and the boarded treasure is
ostentatiously exposed 10 view, fllnglng au-
dacious mockery in the teeth of the miser-
able starvings, who crowd 10 pour their
mites into the pockets of their holy Padre
for the privilege of pouring their sins into
his ear
The cathedral Of which we have been
speaking has two organs-a fact that Will
go far in giving conception OF lis size, and
one of them is of mammoth dimensions,
capable Of filling every recess OF the vast
enifce which is swelling and rcceding pa
geantry Of sound. The portion of the
church occupied by the choir contains
about $50 seats-the floor beneath cover
ing burial place of the priests, where It
IS said the bodies Of two holy men have
rested for more than three centuries, IN
state of preservation similar 10 the ancient
Egvptain method of embalming. Stran-
gers are permitted 10 walk about most OF
the interior Of the cathedral, and satisfy
their curiosity, being forbidden entrance to
a vault. beneath the altar, and other sec
tons of sacred seclusion.
The city is rendered beautiful by vari-
Gus public grounds; and one extensive gar
den is laid out with peculiar taste and ele-
gance having within it five large fountains,
from which hundreds of women and chill"
dren are at ali hours to be seen filling their
earthern jugs, for drinking and other pur-
poses. At one end Of this garden is seen
a marble statue, representing America,
seated on huge globe. This stands in
richly ornamented portico, upon which is
inscribed in large guilt letters the name OF
the statue mentioned, 4" america"