The Arkansas banner., 1847-03-03

s+tAA w @AAN&t tHtAEtNtMAAEhrs ht< rs-@NA howeset, Mss spsrsd; GOr, in few minutes ! found several acquainiances among the os- feers of the 6sIi Infantry, quartered in town
 who not only kindly spent the res, of .hs
 day in showing ns Aihe rope" ," but after re'
 viving old times with s.crambambuli'' and "sparkiiAg and hright," conducted us to . tbed zg romfoFmbfU ss soidief could wish
 except that his bsd-fellows--the fleas--wert somewhat too fdgesty and assiduons in ,heil attentions.
 The next day before returning to camp, visited the church. which, notwithstanding its gaudy ornaments, is truly an imposing structure, combining almost every imagiua- ble order, 1t seems us If it might have been bsilt in tha time of the caciques. The main building is eruciform, --the whole floor. tthere are no such unchristian deYlees as pews) composed of heavy detached wooden slabs, each one intended 10 cover separate vault for lhe burial of the ancient fathers of the church. Upon entering the interior one is somewhat prepared, by the sofiened light from the colored glass of the windows in the dome. and the signing of the wind among its lofty arches, for the magnificent interning- ling Of gliding, painting and staiuary iha, every where meets the eye. On each side. near the door, is large marble vase of holy water Beyond there, beneath the smaller paintings that had not time to notice, were, en one side fine lull-length painting ol La Sa- reta Guadalupe, the patroness of Mexico; and aPposae, one beautifully exeenfed, of the birth of Christ Further on, upon either side. was snail altar: one beneath large glass case--coniainiiig figure, in wax, of Jesus in the sepulchre;-the other, surmoun,ed with most exquisitly finished figure of La Santa Mana Dolorora. Beyond these were the conies,ionals and the pulpit, under the roof of Whi:h was suspended the figure of a dove, bearing in its bill the Olive branch of Peace. Either arm of the cross was. in it. sell, complete chapel, with more figures, paintings, and carved wood, than usually suffice for whole church in the States :; while the edges of thc dome and corners of the arches'were covered with scriptural rep resentations in stucco work: such as the slast supper the washing of the feet &c The main altar Is rather plain in itself, though carved and surrounded with innumcrable sil- yer aud gilt ornaments while the back ground, from the floor to~lhe roof, is one blazing mass of gilt work, mirrors, and sta- tuary, representing the saints and the fathers of the church. Though all is so magnifi- cent, nothing is new, aad everything seems to bear the impress of age almost as venera- ble as the religion of which it Is the symbol. When first entered the church, solemn stiffness as of the tomb pervaded the whole place. There was no one present bu. one shronded form, kneeling upon the steps of the altar, and the sub-deaeon, who was kind- ly endeavoring to point out and explain the beauties and wonders of ihe place, whom l presently dismissed with small fee, and the accompanying admonitiop: 'Por los pobres;' and returned to contemplate the beautiful figure of Mary greving,'-the countenance depicting most exquisite, but patient, grief,
 every hneament and feature as perfect and as lovely as the warmest imagination can conceive, ,-the Tout ensemble of the figure, redolent with grace, it seemed breathing statue, lovely thing of life. was standing thus charmed and exclaimed before il, when the occasional fitting by of some pious fe- male, shrouded in her mantilla. and the sor- tened tread of the brawny peons, approach ing the sanctuary, reminded me that mass was about to commence. Passing through side door, npon the Jeff of the main building, entered the old chapel, dedicated 10 the na- uonal paIrohess. La Sarete Guadalupe, which surpassed, if any thing, the other in beauty and magnltcence. Conspicuous, among it's beauties. were splendld fgne of the Cru ciGxion, painting of the Patroness. and the figures of ihe martyrs San Zelips and Santa Rosa. Of this, however, had but cursory view, and, indeed now, that am writing this nasty sketch from memory, l feel that i, would require more time than could, at that time, spare io examine in detail, and a much more artistical genius than possess. to ap- preciaie that gorgeous mass of carved work, statuary, and paintings, as well as more Catholic pen than can wield, to properly describe its beauties and effects. Yet mus, confess that, while treading its sepulehral floors, and gazing upon its glittering splen- ds.rn and tha too.,ltu~