The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-08-03

whole front. and in the rear is situated the mint
On the North and South sides of the square is the
cupying the width of the whole square, about two
hundred yards, except two streets The form of this
teriy end there arises magnificent dome Immediately
over the altar Upon the front of the building
rise two lofty towers being from the ground to their
summit 300 feet These towers, cupolas, made
into four divisions the height of each being 30 feet and
in them hung bells of enormous size and sweet tone
Each is ornamented with richly carved columns, all
in unison. Between the two towers rises bold arch,
the centre of which stands the Angel Gabriel well
carved with large wings and standing in the attitude
if about blow the last blast The roof Of the church
is supported by arch work The building has two doors
one on each side placed opposite each other and around
them some very rich carving The sculpture is in re-
lief projecting from the walls about nine inches, and
presents of the most interesting passages in the
arch beautifully Ornamental the key of the arch repre-
sentng flower basket, with two small cherubs, their
hands in it cung flowers The front is elegant spe-
cmen of Jesuit architecture having selected the rich
est order for its construction The first basement pre-
sents on either side Of the doorway four Cornthan col
umns, twenty feet high and three feet in diameter and
Immediately above them, the second and third base
mens, there similar columns, tapering of in length
and diameter in beautiful proportion.
In the centre of the arch between the towers and
immediately under the Angel Gabriel, is splendid
clock which strikes can be heard distinct
ly all the city The whole of the outside of the
church covered over with figures of saints carved
of stone the hu man size set back in inches in the wall
The inside is taseiully ornamened with holy
paintings of the German school There several IA
my affairs besides the principal before which is
is richly dressed with symbolic sculptures and silver
corations, and when lighted up with a hundred
tapers, presents very imposing appearance the silent
solemny broken at intervals by the mellow sound of
rich-toned organ.
There three aisles in the church. formed by two
rows of square columns at equal distances from each
other the balance of the space being free from any OBJ
stace, as there seats-al the worship being per.
formed kneelng standing.
The actual wealth of this church is great, al
though much of the gold and silver has been removed
order a. alleged for safe keeping. Many of the da-
monds have been exchanged for Imitation glass ones,
and other jewels have been set in baser metal The
church was fifty years in building and cost million of
dollars, which large sum raised by laying small
tax upon every mark of silver taken from the mines in
the vicinity OF the city. The large mountains of Stag
formed from these mines would afford rial build
wall four miles in circumference which would enclose
the city Upon the north side the is small mountain
stream which is conveyed into the city by
about mile in length, built of running
superb archesunt empes itself into spacious
voir just without the limits of the city from this
voir the water is conveyed the city by means of
pipes and in the centre of the Grand Square there
large fountain, from which there issues a constant
stream.
The chihuahua Expedition.
Capt. Washingon OF the u s. Artillery he passed by
Vicksbug on the 10Th inst furnished the editor OF the
Sentinel statement of the force which destined pro-
coed via San Antonio de Bexar to chihuahua and part
which were on their way wit hm.-The force will be
tied 10