Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-06-18
THE CITY OF PIJEBLA.

Gen Worth's army took possession of Pue-
bla on the 18th NAV. 1t is rs miles from the
civ of Mexico. Il has about $4,000 inhabi-
tants. The city is neat and clean-far more
so than the city of Mexico--streets broad and
we'll paved, and the common people more
comfortable and better dressed than t.ose at
the Capitol. House rents are one-halt or one
third those of Mexico The dwellings are
usually inhabited by one family. Churches
and converts are more numerous, IN proper
ton to the population, than in any part OF the
country. The friars are less, and the secular
clergy more numerous. A river skirts the
eastern side of the city, affording extern
sive water power-and on its banks are pub
lie walks and fountains. West of the city is
the convent of St. Francis, and in full view OF
the two great volcanoes, Istazibuatl and Po-
pocatapetl, rising to the sky with their tops
of eternal snow. In the centre of the city is
the great square, surrounded on two sides by
public buildings erected on arches. On the
south side is the great cathedral, equal to that
of Mexico. Indeed, this church at Puebla is
the most splendid in the country, and its pop
ularity and wealth have been greatly aug
mented by an occurrence whichls said to have
taken place at its construction. The building
gained mysteriously during the night, as much
as the masons built during the day. The clerk
declared that this was the work of angels
hence the name of the city-Puebla de los an
gelos. From the centre of the great dome is
suspended an immense chandelier, of solid
gold and silver, weighing about ten TONS
Such is the extent of this chandelier that Il
costs four thousand dollars to clean it. Mex
to this in grandeur is the great altar, built o.
costly marble, with its massive gold and silver
lor h. Ill - hn of M
Bishops, in which large silver lamp is KEEP
is figure of the Holy Virgin, nearly as larg.
in, with strings of the largest pearls hanging
: brow is crown of gold, inlaid with the lar
} gest emeralds Her waist is circled by zone
, of diamonds, of which those in the centre are
said to be the most splendid in the world
The candelabras around the altar are of golC
and silver, so massive that powerful man
cannot lift them. Immediately above the al
tar is smaller one, the interior of which, du.
ring service, is exposed or concealed to view
without any one apparently moving it. From
this the HosT, amid blaze of priceless anC
innumerable Jewels, is exhibited to the kneel
ing multitude. A large picture of St. Peter
suspended above the Bishops chair, is made
by the inlaying of various woods, but so skill
: fully executed that it looks like fine oil
painting.
: Indeed the Cathedral is mine of wealth
: and splendor. In her palmy days Puebl;
boosted sixty-nine churches, nine monasteries
thirteen nunneries, and twenty three colleges
Her manufactures have recently declined, lik
everything else in Mexico; but in openinl
: their gates to the American army, the Pueblo
= and their Clergy have exhibited an apprecia
ton of enlightened government, which speak
we'll for their intelligence They will nov
find protection under our flag, and instead o
being robbed and plundered by military chief
: tains, all their industry and resources will b.
Z made available for the happiness of themselve
and their country-N. Y. Sun.