The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1843-03-24

dertaken task that neither nature uol
cultivation fits him to carry successfully
through. and shall fine him one dollar
and fifty cents for the attempt
In this way numbers of cases, some
for bad singing and others for speaking
bad Spanish, were disposed Of, and with
the proceeds the merry wags procured q
sufliclency of provisions and chiRguirite,
the latter a species of whiskey, TO hold a
wild revel that night among the ruins OF
San Crstobal
Cathedral of scar T.as'y of esuadaIotpc."
On the road from San Crisiobal to the city of
Mexico, is the celebrated cathedral of Nsustra S.
nora de Guadlloupe. The prisoners made halt
at the little village which surrounds the cathedral
to obtain some water and refreshments, and tlu.
ring the stay Kendall learnt the history of this
magnificent building. He says:-
| did not enter this noted church, but
It's history was told us and is extremely
interesting. There are different versions
of the story, but they agree in the main
circumstances Some three hundred years
ago not solitary hut was standing in a
village which now contains some thou
sands of inhabitants and probably one of
the most magnificent and richest religious
establishments in the world. Near the
site of the church, shortly after the CON
quest by Cortez, poor and simple shep-
herd was attending his flock, not dwell.
ing in sight save those in the distant CITY.
Suddenly the Holy Virgin appeared to the
wandering shepherd, clad in celestial raj
ment and with face of pure and heaven.
ly beauty. She pointed to a small hill
near, and then told him to 60 forth
with to the city and inform the bishop
that it was her will chapel should at
once be built upon the spot to be dodca-
ted exclusively to her. The af'rghted
man went 10 the city that night, but think
ing the bishop would not credit his story
he did not communicate the holy errand
upon which he had been sent. The mex,
day the Virgin again appeared to the poor
shepherd. With much trembling he told
her that he feared 10 open her message to
the bishop, lest that dignitary might ridi-
cule him as fool or an impostor. She
again commanded him to communicate
her desire to the bishop and on his second
visit to the city the shepherd made known
tohim all the circumstances. The bishop
laughed at the man MS an impostor, and
desired him to bring some sign OF token
that he had communicated face TO face
with the Holy mother. He returned 70
his flock on the third day, and was again
visited by the Virgin, She asked him if
he had well performed his holy mission,
to which he answered by telling her the
result Of his conference with the bishop.
500 said she. =" TO yon barren rock" at
the same time pointing TO the desolale hill,
land bring me bouquet of roses which
you will find there" The poor shepherd,
albeit knowing full well there were no ro-
ses nor flowers any kind upon the spot,
obeycd her request. What was his sur
prise when he found the roses as she had
described them. lie gathered beauti-
ful bouquet, and on returning TO his sin
gHar yislter she told him to proceed with
It at once 10 the bishop, and place it in his
hands as an evidence Of the truth Of what
ne mad seen and heard. He now cheer
July obeyea.he summons, and presented
the bouquet as req'asted. On receiving il
the bishop dlscoyercdinor printed upon the
roses a beautiful miniture rs ,be Uolv
virginia miniature of such surpersin,
loneliness and exquisite finish that he a
once knew that other than the hand o
man had painted 1t. Its Divine Origin
now seemed TO him unquestonablc.
With unwonted pomp and ceremony
lac had the miraculous bouquet born
about in procession, the request Of tn
Holy Virgin was at once obeyed. and
temple dedicated entirely 20 her servc
was Immediately erected on the spot sh
poinie, ont. The fame Of the miracl
spread far and near, and rich present
came flowing in from all quarters. Th
reigning monarch of Spain endowed wit
} costly furniture and religious trapping
: lhe sacred cathedral Of Ncusira Senior
: ae Gua3n'oepe, she WAS ordained If
patroness Of Mexico, and up to The pre-
emf time he temple Is noted as among Il
! richest in the world. Such the fable al
/, such the result. The Mexicans general