The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-03-18

lated marble. or hard cement, polished
with ochre or gypsum and usually con-
tanned sparkling fountain; occasionally
there was fower-garden, i'll which q
pyramidal altar gave an air of sanctity to
the place. The stairway which led to the
second story or to the roof was often On
the outside of the house,
tons ton and graceful form contributed
not little to the good appearance of the
house. The roof was fat terrace Of
beams, with a slight slope tawards the
back. covered with coat Of cement OF
clay, and surrounded by battlementcd
parapet, surmounted at times by small
turrets. There were generally flowers in
pots, upon the roofs, or even small gar
den; and here the members of the house
hold assembled in the cool of the evening
to enjoy the fresh air and charming pros
pect. Some houses had galleries, which,
| like most work added to the main struc.
ture, were of wood, though supported
upon columns Of marble, porphyry, or
alabaster. These pillars were either
round or square, and were generally
monoliths; they were without base or
capital, though ornamented with figures
cut in low relief. Buildings were further
adorned with elegant cornices and stucco
designs of flowers and animals. which are
often painted with brilliant colors.
Prominent among these figure was the
coiling serpent before mentioned. Lin
tells and door posts were also deliberately
carved.
The interior displayed the same rude
magnifcence. The floor were covered
with hard, smooth cement like the court
yard and streets, rubbed with ochre or
gypsum, and polished. The glossy walls
were painted and hung with cotton or
feather tapestry, to which Las Casas adds
silver plating and jewels. The furniture
was scanty. 1t consisted chiefly of soft
mats and cushions of palm-leaves or fur.
low tables, and small tools with palm-lcaf
backs. The beds were mats piled one
upon another, with block or palm-lea
or cotton cushion for pillow; occasion
ally they were furnished with coverlets
and canopies Of cotton or feather-work.
Vases filled with smoldering incense diff.
fused their perfume through the cham.
bers. The rooms which were used in
winter were provided with hearths and
firc-screens, and were lighted by torches.
There were no doors, properly called
such, to the houses but where privacy
was required, bamboo or wicker.work
screer was suspended across the entrance
and secured at night with bar. To this
was attached a string Of shells, which the
visitor ratified to call the host or his at.
tendants to the entrance. The interior
rooms were separated by hargings, which
probably also served to cover the win
dows of ordinary dwellings, although the
transparent tocali stone, as before stated
answered the purpose Of window glass in
certain parts of some of the temples.
Depressing Times in Detroit.
Somehow or other, soda water ism
what it used to be- sighed his Honor, as
ne leaned back behind the pile of warrants
and brushed the chestnut chucks off his
lap.
''And the world itself seems a dreary
waste to me- sighed Bijah. sad look
coming to his eyes. Il sometimes don
care how soon am called upon to GO
My feelings exactly replied The
clerk. 90. his world has no more pleasure:
for me.
The wind sighed drearily around the
gables 4 dog under the table uttered 6
mournful howl. \ small boy in the corn.
err wiped his eyes on his hat. The en-
trance Of half dozen additional specta
tors, together with the thunder-like noise
Of passing dray. acted to snap the link
Of sadness, and his Honor forced smile
and told BJah to reach in and grab the
first person he could get hold of.
His name was VIM. He admitted
that he could not buy door-knob if brick
houses were selling at shilling a piece
ano he further owned up that he had sal
on the dock for hours and looked the
wolf of starvation in the face.
Il don t think this world has any fur
ther use for YOU. remarked his Honor
after taking look a, the prisoner. Il
SEE you haven't any get-up-and-vote
twice in your nature, and yo@r char acte,
has been allowed to tumble around unit
you feel like an old omnibus horse"
Don't abuse me replied the prisoner
in rnournful voice.
but it annoys me to see a big. fat hulk
of loafer idllng away ks life and chew
ing apple-rinds to keep from starvation
ID get under pi,e-driver. 60 to sleep or
a railroad track. or walk off the wharf be
fore d drag out such life. Howeve-
its no use talking to you. Consider your
self elevated for three months. and wher
that's out come back for some more
Young Johm D~olev.