Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1885-08-16
gI)ssIias gssIssss
FIVE VOLCANOES m SIGHT.
birdssys View Of PusbIa and the
Valley Of Acaysts.


re Angels is one Of the few in modern
Mexico which was not built upon the ruins
Of fermsr Aztec greatness, but was an
original idea the early spanish eOlonists.
Ia site, on the green plain OF Acayese, was
fOrmerly occupied By few huts belonging
10 the Cholula Indians, and was then, IS
nov, environsd By productive eornheidS,
bevord which miles of the American sgave
or century plant stretched away to the loot
Ills Ct the Sierra Madras.
The present city is considered oy many
The 6rest in MexiCo. lt is the rival OF Gas'
daisisrss in beauty, and is second IN SIZE TO
the ca ital, With a population OF nearly
500 COZ lt was founded IN 1881, aud Vas
namtd Puebla De los Angeles (Clty OF the
T Angels, because Of the traditions, sui de-
vcutly believed, that while its cathedral Was
sbsin9 constructed the work was continued
ever night when the Workmen slept toy
anSsls. Who added as many stones as the
builders had placed by uHy. Since 1867
ne city has been called Puebla de lara
toea. in honor of the Mexican General who
defeated the French army here in that year.
The streets Of Peubls are wider and better
pavsd than those Of most Mexican cities,
and its two stored buildings are in pleasant
contrast with the prevailing style OF m
terior towns. where the narrow stony alleys
sre oyershAdoved By the gloomy loS-sooied
casas of bygone age. Besides the newt
able central plaza and the great Alameda
(srove of elmsl, Peubla rsjolees in no less
than twenty six public parks, al OF winch
are well shaded aud hower.hiled spaces,
where the populsee eongregAte nightly
The shop fronts and most Of the houses
are built of Sx-sided bricks, with
small blue tiles set in between. Others
are q perfect mosaic OF Dutch or China
tiles upon groundwork Of Pompenan rcd,
Arraigned IN sll manner Of designs, and
having numerous PLAQUES and panels,
uEon which saints are carved or painted,
let into the walls. The effect is extremely
Quaint. Although somewhat startling At
hrst to foreign eyes, one soon becomes &C.
eustomed 70 the vivid eoloring, and comes
to regard our common place dwellings
mneh as 3 collector OF sersmics looks upon
delft as compared with decorated pottery.
The finest tiles on the continent are made
in Puebla, and here are no less than q
dozen fabrGeas for their manufacture.
The famous cathedral, once one OF the
richest in the world, is still the great sttrac-
ton for tourists, though much of its pristine
splendor disappeared with the decsdence of
Papal power. Stand in the midst Of ma
iestic expresses, and surrounded by vide
stretch OF marble pavement. one sees no ey-
idence OF the work Of shadowy hands; but
on the contrary, everything looks IS sub
stantial as though designed for eternity
The facade Of the northern entrance is
embelEshed with statutes and medalhons in
marble, and the mitre and keys of the Pope.
ON the tace OF the western toWeriss 6neod
clock, made in Madrid more than two CEN
turiss ago. The main entrance OF the cath
edral is toward the west, and here art more
statues, occupying numerous inches, scores
Of seulptared saints. and coveys OF legless
eherubims lowering around the. marble slab,
which tells as that the gloomy pile was
erected in 1904 The immense marble
paved space surrounding it is enclosed with
10 high, spear pointed iron fence, whose
innumerable posts of massive granite are
al faced by bronze casts in 5ss relief aud
topped by angels vita outstretched wings.
An tEese bcoDzss were cast by 40 Ameri-
an, named Marshall, formerly from New
ork CITY. who lived in Mexico for many
lers
!, Though untold treasures in the way Of
gold, silver and precious stones we're combs
Gated from this church by the snti-CAtho6c
regime, il is sill enormously rich, The
6nest collection Of marbles in the world en-
tiers into its construction, not even except.
ing the celebrated Tel Mahul Of India.
PerhapS It's most striking object is the main
altar lit was erected in 1912 By prelste
.puebls and affords the greatest display
- the beautiful Mexican onyx to be found
hwhere in the republic, which is famous
tirt One is atonished by the Infinite va
ssr Of tints-tron rose color to Nile green,
-. yellow and mahogany brown. Among
most eonspicuously lovely is the pure
IMP transparent alabaster from the ex-
and ess duarries near Puebla. A massive
insuy and steps Of translucent onyx lead 10
1e- liar platform elevated ten feet above
the Aocr. beneath which are buried the sue
eessiye Bishops of Puebls This exquisite
sep0lehre is constructed entirely of the most
rfcious materials, and is divided into
inches and panels, the whole covered with a
dome Of transparent slabaster, whose crys-
tal Ike clearness is enhanced by trimmings
OF bronze aud gold. From the center Of |
this wonderful canopy depends huge silver
lamp which burns forever above the illas-
'fr-ous dead.
Over the altar, within the columns Of the !
larger Hr pie, Is a small one, the interior Of |
which is displayed or concealed BY secret
machinery. Innumerable lamps AMI can /
dilsbrss Of Sold gold and silver surround il, |
and when the secret springs are touched, |
the host, amid blaze Of priceless Jewels is
disclosed to the kneshDg multitude. 0ppo !
site the front Of this altar is the choir, re-
marksble for the rich carving Of its wood
work, and the stalls for can ons AMI clergy.
Above the Bishops seat il colossal por-
trait of St Peter formed by she interlaying
of different woods, and so marvelously well
executed that one can scarcely believe it is
not an oil painting.
: 4 EtTie to the right of the choir may le
seen what was once the gem Of the building
"a Hfesized figure of the Virgin, dressed
In richest embroidered satin and literally
loaded with Jewels. Formerly the wealth
OF an empire was lsyished upon this 6gure,
strings of the largest pearls hung from her
neck 10 her knees the golden crown upon
her head was set with emeralds as large as
robbins eggs, and her waist was bound with
q blazing zone OF priceless diamonds; while
other gems, scattered al over her draperies, |
sparkled upon her arms and fingers, aud
shone in her hair aAd upon her breast ana
md filed the golden easket standing within
her shrine. Now the easksts are empty,
md many Of the real stones have been re-
placed By limitations yet this figure is still
more magnificent than any living queen in
ler coronation robes.
An incompatible view Of the surround. =
ngs may be obtained BY climbing 3 eircu. I
~ stone stairway to the Cathedral top.
here are two bell towers, and in each a /
nan resides with his family. All inscrip. q
ON states That the towers were erected in )
678, in the reign of Carlos IL, ct cost of o