Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-09-27

into Jail in consequence, but we're
liberated next morning without hav.
ing to pay a fine. Possibly the court
thought it not right to punish Ameri-
cans for helping to e%nliven a Mexican
holiday. The usual fine on ordinary
occasions is g 30 for simple druuks.n
as some one expressed it, which is
considerable less than in most cities oil
Uncle Sans dominion.
THE CATHEDRAL.
The principal object of interest to
strangers is the cathedral which faces
the Central plaza on the west. The
main part OF the building is about
90xl20 feet, So OF 60 feet high, and
bears the date lS4l. There is a large
wing on the south side and two
towers about 100 feet high stand one
on each side OF the front end Of the
building while a dome rises neal the
rear The whole structure is of cut
stone of yellowish white color. On
the front Of the church is sculptured
a large figure of Christ surrounded by
his twelve apostles, Above this galaxy
is an Illuminated clock, while below
and on the sides Of the building are
carved figures representing various
saints. That part of the towers ris-
ing above the roof is divided into four
stories or sections. The upper portion
of each section is supported by a q, Gle
of stone columns. There are five
bells in n tower, two on the roof
aud two more over the wing. The
largest bell in the tower was struck by
a cannon ball, during the revolution
of 1866, and a hole made in it. The
inside OF the church has many sculp-
tured figures, many Of them hideously
ugly. Nine affairs and eight confess
SIGNALS are ranged along the walls.
Every niche contains a statue or stat
uette Of Christ or some saint. In front
Of the main altar hangs a large chan.
delier said to be of solid silver and
worth thousands of dollars. A few
benches are the only seats in the
cathedral.
MONUMENT OF HIDALG0.
Another object of interest is the
monument erected over the spot
where Guadalupe Hidalgo, the warrior
priest, the liberator OF Mexico, was
executed in 1912 The monument is
a pyramid about twelve feet high. and
bears no inscription whatever. Hidal
go was captured by the Spaniards near
chihuahua, brought into the city and
shot. His head was cut off aud borne
to the city Of Mexico, while his body
was burned in the church of San
Francisco, near the place of execu-
ton. Years after his bones were
gathered up and also sent to the City
of Mexico.
The church of San francisco is
small. The altar, however, is more
pretentious than that of the cathedral
and is %resplendent with gilt facings
There are two more churches in the
city, but they were closed to sight,
seers.
The government is erecting a large
palace close to the monument Of Hi
dalgo. The walls are not completed
yet, but from the beginning made
the building will be a very handsome
one. All the business houses and resi-
dences of the upper class are faced
with cut stone, and the courtyard
paved with the same material. Som,
Of the houses are two stories high
with stone stairways leading up. VERY
little building is going on, but a gooC
deal OF remOdeling along the princi
pal streets.
Many of the excursionists expected
to see bull fights as a part of the cele
bration, but that aesthetic entertain
ment was not on the programme
Many thought of going to a ball OF
Saturday night, but there was no bal
until Monday night. A theatrica
troupe (Mexicans), however, enter
tanned a crowded house Sunday night
The play was John, the Coachman,'
rendered in Spanish. The perform
ance is said to have been creditable.
Most Of the exeursionists returned
lorth Monday, leaving chihuahua a
a M. All seemed much pleased will
their visit.