The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-05-25

first church was built at Puerto Bello, near Aspin
wall, previous to crossing the 1sthmus, the ruins
of which are still standing; but Panama being
the chosen spot the erection of grand cathedra
was commenced soon after the arrival Of the mis-
sjonaries. It is said to have been an ediicc Of
magnificent splendor and design, and no pains OF
cxpensc were spared in building it. The cost
was never known. 1t was robbed and DESTROYED
by the pirate Morgan-thc ruins Of which are tC
be seen in old Panama, in very advanced state
of decay The present cathedral was commenced
over hundred years ago, and is not finished yet
1t is grand even in its unfinished state, and viii
when completed surpass any cathedral on the
continent 1t occupies one side of the main pla
"a, and extends the length Of an entire block or
square. Fronting the plaza, it has two immense
domcs, which are built in 'cublo" style, Square
sides covered with all kinds of colOrcd shells,
plastered or cemented in such a way that the III
sides are turned outward, and when the rays of
the sun strike them the effect is simply heaven
~ Ten life-szc statues adorn the front Of the
building, and are SO placed that they form tri'
angle, Ga Spanish idea of arranging things)
A half dozen steps place us at the massive
doors, which indeed seem very plain for an edi-
flee of this magnitude but presume will be re-
placed by better ones in time. As we enter the
first object which attracts our special attention
| is an immense marble statue of "Our Lady Of
Lourdes' on an elevated pedestal, which occupies
the main aisle, directly in front Of the grand
altar. This grotto is very elaborate and expcn-
sive, and ornamented with the most costly
flowers and decorations Internally the style of
| a. &, 10,
sive walls and pillars / ever behold. 1t has nine
affairs Of various styles and designs. The grand
altar is Corinthian, and is made OF polished white
marble, imported from Rome. The ornaments
are of gold and silver, and Of the most gorgeous
designs The emblems which adorn the rear Of
the sanctuary, such us the Ten Commandments,
Lamb, Sun, Moon, Cross, etc, are masterpieces
Of painting, and were done in Rome and brought
here by one of the fathers. The sanctuary is very
large and leading TO the communion table are
five or six marble steps, extending the entire
width The other affairs are gorgeously decora
ted, and most Of them contain some Of the finest
statues Of saints ever saw.
In Spanish towns and cities the people are ac
customed to bury their dead in the parish church,
if they can afford to purchase desired spot So
here in this cathedral the grave Of many dear
departed is TO be seen. There is scarcely room
enough to walk around without stepping on
grave, and the walls along the sides and end near
the door are dotted with the names of those
whose bones are laid within, while the massive
Il pillars which support the roofs are made to answer
for "a silent tomb" In many places large tomb
stones and monuments are observed, and no.
ticed several good-sized tombs Indeed, while
standing within those sacred walls and first gaz-
ing on the numerous affairs, pictures and orna-
ments, and then on the numberless graves be-
meath my feet, in the walls and massive pillars,
was in doubt whether was in city OF the dead
or within the cathedral. Here the faithful can
worship at the sacrifice of the mass, and AT the
same time pray on graves of their ancestors.
The next church of importance is
ST. JOSEPH
and, like the cathedral, has been made to act the
part of graveyard, but not to the extent which
is found in the cathedral. This is very old
church, but a curiosity to the antiquarian The
floor Is made of large fiat bricks; but unlike
nearly all churches in this section, 1t has seats
not regular church pews, but something like
those long railroad waiting seats, without the al
visions. There are seven affairs in this church,
and each one more interesting than another.
The grand altar is OF the most gaudy design
ever saw, and has more gingerbread" fixtures
about it than can possibly be imagined. 1t is of
Greek STYLE and the vast columns which support
it ut both sides are simply immense These col
umns and the space between are spangled with
ornaments OF the most gorgeous and nashy col
ors resembling, as near rs anything that | can
compare II to, Chinese Joss House; while the
statues, which are intended for saints, look very
much like Chinese gods or josses. On the altar
in different places and on bases are any quantity
of little dolls, male and female, which are intend
cd for saints. Near the door is n representation
of the "lIoly Scpulchre," in which life-size fig
ure of the Saviour is laid. The design is impress
sye, but the faces are so antagonstic TO the ma.
turc of the representation that the visitor Is more
inclined to laugh than pray. Around the sepul-
chrc stand the Virgin Mary Magdalcne, St. John
and others The faces are anything but what they
should lie, while the dresses are of the latest
fashons-low neck, short sleeves, of high color
silk and velvet, and trimmed with LOUNGES gau.
dy colored bow-knots and generally such nick
nacks as lady would wear at some grand ball
or reception.
! THE JESUIT CHURCH,
which stands on one Of the plaZas, Is indeed Gu
rosity In Itself. The ediflce seems to be an i'm
mcnsc one, built some time during the early part
of the past century, and is composed of stone in
its rough state, which seems to be the nature Of
the material Of which all the churches are built
except the cathedral. As entered and passed
along towards the middle altar | observed the
peculiar and various styles of seats, and on in
quiring as to why this variety, was told that any
body that desired could erect whatever kind of n
seat best suited their fancy. Some were made in
the shape of boxes, Others like fences around
graves, and more in theatrical STYLE while
many were rocking or reclining chairs. In sew
cral places on the floor lay pieces of carpet
small cushions or ottomans. In this church
there arc twelve affairs, and every one except the