The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-03-03

About three miles south of San Antonio
| are the ruins of the Missions of Concep-
lion and San Jose. The latterls the most
interesting and is believed to be the old
est of the several missions that once orna-
mented the bills and plains around the
Alamo City. tits situated on the crest of
the highest hill In the neighborhood, and
from the top OF the ruins, hoary with age,
is had commanding and magnificent
view Of the surrounding country.
In the
LONG AGO
IL must have been massive, sombre, aus
tere and imposing building within whose
walls were statuary and beautiful al
tars surrounded with seraphims and an
gels waving palms. over all of which was
shed soft vOluptuous light from great
wax candles and golden chandeliers.
The ruins now Enthusiastically indicate that
in its early days it contained all that APP
peals to the eye, and its nayes, its dark
archways, its cloisters, its chapels
beautifully frescoed and ornamented,
must have been of Oriental splendOr.
The storms and sunshlnes of numberless
years h. destroyed its grandeur, and it
is now mass of ruins, with wild ivy aud
shrubbery affeetiOnately clinging TO its
venerable and time-worn walls, as If in
great love and tenderness 10 hide their
SCARED and battered forms from view.
The w'&s formed OF
SOLID CONCRETE,
We're very heavy and massive, and the
building was evidently intended TO be
used as n fortress as well as place of
worship Judging from the ruins the
entire roof was composed of heavy stones
and earth, supported by great arches form
ed 10y huge blocks of concrete. \ portion
Of the front wall Is now standing, and is
living monument OF architectural skill
and careful workmanship that flourished
long years ago. II IL the most interesting
feature connected with these hOary old
missions. and yisitorsnever tire while gaZ
ing upon the beautiful and artistic work
that graces and ornaments the face of
the wall. Ii is composed OF soft stone,
such as was used in the erection of the
Capitol here ut Austin. This stone work
surrounds great arched door, the
entrance To nave that pro-
baby led TO the main chapel. The stone
each side of the door reaches to the top
of the wall, and is most artistic ana
handsomely carved. The door, is sur
mounted with life-size image of Virgin
Mary who, instead of descending from
Heaven, seems 10 be rising from the
Earth. ON all sides are scantily dressed
little seraphims, who hold in their hands |
waving palms and oliye branches. To the |
right aud left OF her and mounted nearer |
the top of the wall are life-size statutes |
of two of the patron saints. Scattered |
about over the wall is flower work and |
foliage in stone, among which are perch |
ed many beautiful angels, who seem 10 |
be indulging in the most varied athletic |
exercises. The whole of this piece of
work is beautifully ami wonderfully |
wrought, and very certainly was cOn-
celyed in II master mind. and cut and |
carved by cunning hands. No work of mod |
ern times is its superior in any of its de- |
tails. The great train of years, with their |
storms and calms and stirring events, |
have played sad havoc with its grandeur, |
aud its beauties are mArred and blackened |
with age. The relic fiend, too, wkth that |
profound impudence that ever character
ICES all such, have Clipped of blocks of
stone from the carved work, and greatly |
defaced what at one time must have been
a marvellous piece OF skilled workman
shin