Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-07-29
MEXICAN ARCHITECTURE.

give them distinct lnulVluuallly. Ihcso
proceed from their great diversity in
site and climate, from their local build
ing-materials and architectural forms,
and from the customs of their inhabit-'
ants. For many generations they have
been left to their own resources, and
this isolation has encouraged these
variations. How unlike the growth of
the smart towns of Our young West,
which appear all to have been cast in
the same mould, or rather, cut out by
the same jig-saw!
There is notable architecture almost
everywhere in Mexico. Some OF tho
humblest villages are cnnobled by
churches whose domes and towers
would give them 4 proud distinction in
the greatest cities Of our commonplace
lant. The architectural inspirations
of Mexico conc from Spain; the art has
been transplanted, not developed here.
Therefore it shows characteristics OF
the styles which mark Spanish archi-
tectural history Gothic, however, is
sparsely represented, and its influence
is seldom traced, except in tho light,
aerial strivings of some purely Renais-
sance towers. The Romanesque and
Moorish are found underlying tho Re
naissance, which dominated Spanish
architectural thought at tho time OF
the Conquest. The Romanesque in
fiucnce is manifest almost every
where in Mexico, and sometimes with
striking nobility in almost pure exam
pies of the style. There is also much
extremely ford and undigniiied TO-
coco. Fortunately, this often appears
subject to Moorish influence, and in
such cases its usual incoherence gives,
way to piquant grace,
In Acambaro | noted some charm
inc architectural details. There was
an old carved door, wcather-bcatcn
and richly wrought in high relief. In
the upper part OF tho two panels large
and grotesque twin heads look grimly
down, their boards uniting with the
ornamental work below. A cherub
head peeped out from each of the two
upper corners of the doorway stone
work, and the figure OF some saint &C.
cupied the keystone, looking very COM
Portable beneath the shelter of ro-
COCO canopy. There were some naive
reliefs cut in the extremely hard stone
of the great basin OF the fountain in the
market place, including series OF
comical- looking scenes from q bull
fight. The bulls and horses were of
the size of dogs in proportion to the
human figures, perhaps as an indica-
ton of the superiority of men to ami
mails. A shapely column stood in the
centre of the basin, with Corinthian
capital surmounted by the Mexican
coat of-arms, the eagle, with \ SER
pent in its beak, perched upon prick
iy pear. This was painted, and so
was the neighboring church. But |
can forgive paint in Mexico, except in
its stage of tawdry freshness; for one
rainy season and the intense sunlight
of q few months arc enough to tone it
down into beautiful pale washes of in
Vulnerable tints, the underlying hues
perhaps a century's chromatic applica-
lions showing through here and there.
The church walls and tower were suf-
fused with roseatc purple and an ex-
ouisite green like that of old bronzes.
The domes of Acambaro were below
the average of prominence and excel
lcnce prevailing in Mexico, but there
were some features of the surroundings
of the parochial church which atoncd
for this defect. The churchyard, which
was across the way from lovely little
public garden filled with u tangle OF
vivid tropical bloom was deeply shad-
ed by many great ash-trees, or fresnos,
which occupy u similar place in Mexi-
co to that OF the elm with us, and they
fill it well. A low, plain wall sur
rounded the yard, rising at the en-
frances into large arches, whose curves
were interrupted by arabcsquc-like
notchcs. The yard was spacious; am
pie for the professional ceremonies
which may not take place in the public
streets anywhere in Mexico since they
were forbidden by the reform constitu.
ton OF 1851. The buildings adjoining
!, the church were mostly falling into
an aunt whom she had raised from tn
obscurity OF drcssmaking~ to presid
over the beautiful home TO which sh
had recently returned from boardin!
school,
Nobody could ever love her madl,
for herself alono-reach across 3 bar
rier of poverty, and marry her in tn
face of disappearing world.
Sally sometimes regretted that he
father had been the highly successful
railway contractor that he had been.
Her very name was discouragng
Sally Wilson! Who could conceiv
of anything interesting happening to
person with so horribly prosaic name
But Kitty! 1t was all very diiferen
with Kitty. Sally's romantic soul ha'
thrilled with prophetic delight tho mo
ment she had seen her-sitting on on
foot in one of Madame Lavine's school
room windows.
Kitty had been educated by = bache
lor uncle. She was beautiful and pen
niless-the very qualifications for
heroine, Sally had reflected.
She had taken her under her wing
rs it were; and now that school wa
over, she had brought her home wit
her for long vsit-the chief object G
which was that Kitty and Howar
Bennett might be brought together.
Sally had met him while at home O.
her last vacation, and had immediatel
consigned him in her heart to Kitty.
What could be more fitting NOR
delightful? Howard was fair, Kit
which was just as it shout
be. Howard was calm, languid, an
slightly pensive; Kitty was gay an
, vivacious. Opposite qualities were a
ways necessary for perfect happiness
The time had arrived for the fulfil
r ment of her hopes and schemes.
Sally had given her first reception
and from her position as hostess ha
noted the progress of affairs breathlesf
ly.
y She had watched their meeting an
their subsequent intercourse anxiously
she had contrived that they should 6
5 in to supper together, though that ha
!, been no easy matter. Mr.. Alfre
Beadle-the reputed millionaire, cor
corning whom everybody was so ridcr
lousy stirred up-having shown dar
gerous intentions of taking her hin
self, and Howard having been SO oil
fuse as to offer his arm TO his hostess.
But these difficulties, and few sin
liar ones, she had bravely surmounted
and had waited eagerly till the las