Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1885-06-08
LETTER FROM MEXICO.
Citn of MeTic0. Aalr. 3. '05.

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the stranger is the grand cathedral;
which is truly grand in every sense
of that word. Tt is 428 feet long
by 208 feet wide. The arched roof
is 179 feet high and supported by
ninety quadruple pillars each 35 feet
in circumference. The twin towers
are 250 feet high. One of the Or
gans counts more than 5000 pipes.
Once within it and the stranger feels
that he has entered another city.
twenty-five surrounding chapels lead
into the main structure and form
part of it. Forty priests can say
mass at time upon its many affairs.
The central OF high altar was once
the richest in the world; and, though
several times plundered, is still a
marvel of magnifcence and wealth.
On almost any day during lent thou
sands of kneeling wershippers, wo-
men and poems, may here be found
paying their devotions.
The national museum will also be
visited, in which are cart-loads of
Aztec idols; and cart-loads more of
figures and vases and picture writings.
Here is Maximillian silver plate as
found in the castle of chapultapec
though now a good deal tarnished.
In a room below is his royal chariot.
which looks like cross between a
hearse and hack.
In the open court is the sacrificial
stone of circular form, about ten feet
across and four feet high and COM
pletely covered with elaborate carving
of strange images, the whole surface
beng highly polished.
In the center is depression cut
about the size of mans head and
from this hole to the outer edge is
canal to drain off the blood. Some
authorities say sixty thousand hu-
man beings were sacrificed upon this
stone; others say seventy and others
still say ninety thousand. The sac
rifice was made to Mexitili, the Az
tee war god, and the heads of the
victims were piled at the feet of this
hideous image which stands six or
seven feet high and few feet from
the stone; and in the same relation
to it as when used by the Aztecs.
No one can look upon these implements
of human sacrifice and not feel thank
full that a christian civilization has
made these blood thirsty rites impos-
sible to-day, at least upon this CONT
nent..
The academy of fine arts is also
visited and the stranger is astonished
at the extensive collection of rare
old pictures here to be found. Here
are originals by Murillo, Leonardo
de Vinci, Ingres, Correno, Rihera
and Teniers the elder; and by
many Mexican artists of large
local fame. Many of these paint
ings, and some of the most val
liable, were taken from the converts
and nunneries at the time of the
confiscation. They are largely of a
sacred character, though there are
some good landscapes and a few
portraits of modern characters in
Guiding fine painting of Maximil-
liam, mounted on the white horse
which he rode at the head of his
army on the march from this city to
Queretaro.
Here, too, is a marble statue of
the patriot priest, Miguel Hidalgo,
the curate of Dolores; who is rep
resented as a small, big-headed
man, lean and nervous. He is really
one of the great characters in Mexi-
can history. In 1910, with less than
100 men he raised the standard of
revolt against the Spanish authority,
which for three hundred years had
ruled Mexico with rod of iron.
On his banner was inscribed the
motto: 'religion and independence" )"
He soon had an army of more than
100, 900 men and marched on the cap
ital but was overcome by the Span
ish forces, captured and shot. The su-
periority in arms, equipment and
discipline of the kings troops was
too much for the patriot hosts; most
of whom fought with sticks and
spears and slings. Hidalgo's head
with the heads of three of his prin-
cipal supporters were hung in iron
cages to the four corners of the cas-
tie of Grdnidds in Guanajuato,
which Hidalgo had once captured.
The iron cages are still there; and
Hidalgo though cut short in his ca
reer, was nevertheless successful.
"They never fail who die
In great cause the block may soak their gore,
Their heads may sodden in the sun; their limbs
Be strung to city gates and castle walls;
But still their spirit walks abroad. Though years
Elapse, and others share as dark doom,
They but augment the deep and sweeping thoughts
Which overspread all others, and conduct
The world, at last, to freedom"
So it was with Hidalgo. The rev.
olution which he had inaugurated
went forward and in 1921, the king
of Spain was compelled to acknowl-
edge the independence of Mexico.
Besides the statue of Hidalgo
here are many other fine works in
marble.
This academy is what the name
indicates, not merely collection of
paintings and statuary but school
for instruction. 1t is withal, very
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