Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-03-15
THE LAND OF THE AZTECs.
Pen Picture of the MexIcnn Capital
Atreot Nomenclature. S,or,. NJ.

he more beautiful than the situation oi
this city, which. with its magnificent
diadem Of mountains, stands crowned
the queen of the Western continent.
Look on every side and you will see
only different aspect Of the same
grand panorama, with not one item
that is low and commonplace, but all
planned on the same gigantic scale.
At the end of almost every street there
| is vision of mountain and cloud.
with sunlight tracing its magic figures
upon them, and even in the most
squalid parts Of the city you have only
to look a little beyond and the eye is
sure to rest upon some l3ycly embodi-
ment Of nature. The plan of the city
is worthy Of the great conqucror who
laid it out and whc seems 10 have left
the impress of his iron character upon
its solid cdifiCics. As Prescott saws I:
The massive grandeur of the few
buildings that remain Of the primi-
tive period and the general magnili-
ccnec and symmetry Of its plan attest
the farsightcd policy of its founder.
which looked beyond the present TO
the wants Of coming generations" 1t
Is built in the form Of square the
principal streets radiating from the
Iocalo or Plaza de Armas, and so rcgu-
larly do they run that the eye can
follow their course almost To- the ex-
treinc limits Of the city. There are
very few winding ways and narrow,
dingy looking alleys. and even the un-
sightllcSt quarters are redeemed from
uglincss by certain air Of pictures
qucncss, which is heightened by the
romantic and historical associations
connected with nearly every spot.
The main objection 10 he streets is
the narrowncSs of the sidewalks on
many Of them only two persons can
comfortably walk abreast. and in order
to avoid the press of the crowd. one is
often obliged 10 step out into the street
and trot along with the hurrI
There IS another respect in which
the streets might be- improved. and
that IS in regard to their nomcncla-
turc. Each block bears a separate
name, and ~ they are all selected at
random, 10 remember them IS a task
too great for an ordinary memory.
For instance. when you have once fixed
IN your mind that certain dry goods
store in Gale dc san Francisco, IL YOU
wish 10 rccollcct the position Of a mil
linery establishment few steps fur
ther on inc next block. you must aSso-
Clate It with the new title OF Gale de
Plateras. and 80 on. untll IL is a mira
Gle If you do not end by forgetting the
position Of your own dwelling Speak
ing Of stores reminds rs Of another pc
culiarty. which is that the great ma.
lority of shops instead of bearing the
names Of their owners. are adorn"I
with fancy appellltions. some Of them
more romantic than appropriate. \
pul1ucrIa, or pulque shop, for example.
rcJoiccs in the title Of the "Sun Of NAV"
a grocery store bears the announcement
that THE sun Shines for All" while
the principal dry goods emporium is
known by the double designation Of
the surprise and Spring" such
names as the "Rupublic." Progress
destiny" etc, are met with on every
hand. while you may stumble across a !
butcher shop devoted to "Proyidcnce."
a bakery to the Holy Spirit" or a
iulceria to the Hope Of Mary"
We must confess feeling Of disap-
pointment in regard to the general /
Of the stores. for they are
exceedingly small and crampcd. the /
largest being but pigmies compared /
with such mammoth establishments rs /
those Of New Orleans. The windows .
display tempting wares arranged with
great skill and taste. particularly in the .
line Of jewelry and silk. but everything
seems to be on diminutivc scale, and
We have been puzzling our brains to
know why the Mcxicans should insist
upon calling their city the Paris of
America, for il must require a vivid
or magnifying glass of
great power TO detect in the onc-storied
boX-like buildings devoted TO merchan-
disc. any resemblance 10 the magnif-
cent stores in that fashion center of
The world.
q 1t is relief to turn from these
haunts of traffic. and to let your eyes
rest upon the abodcs of men. for
Mexican dwellings have a character