Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-05-27
A FINE CITY.
Tie riasa and tho Famous Cathedral OF
the City Of Mexico.

The rlasa and tho Famous Cathedral OF
the City of Mexico.
The City of Mexico has a population
Of very nearly three hundred thousand
people, and is the largest and finest
city in the Republic. 1t occupies the
center of vast natural basin, around
which are high mountain ranges, and
enjoys a climate which Is well nigh
perfect The rainy season lasts through
the summer, but even then the pleasant
days arc the rule rather than the excep-
tion. Cold weather is unknown, and
the elevation which the place enjoys
insures wonderful freshness 10 the
air. Tho general appearance of the
city is preposscssing. The streets are
wide and long, and the houses as
rule are large and handsome. The
center of activity is the plaza. II is a
large square, and is guarded by the
Cathedral, the National Palace and the
various shops, faced by long, wide cor
ridors. Westward from the plaza a
street leads TO the Pasco dc la Reforma,
one of the grandcst avenues in all
Mexico. II is the iavorite driveway
of the city, and extends out into the
country as far as Chapultepec Castle,
that historic building which the ill
fatod Maximilian used as his country
seat, and which Scott's forces captured
after desperate fight. In another di-
rectiOn from the plaza is the public
market, and beyond that again the
canal that leads to the great lakes,
with their floating gardens. As for the
plaza itself 10 is an interesting place TO
visit Its center is occupied by a small
park, which the Empress Carlotta
planred, and which contains rich
profusion of trees and lowering shrubs
Half hid beneath the vcrdure is band
stand. Here at evening, when the
plaza is Hooded with light, the mill
tary band discourses that sweet music
for which n Mexican orchestra is so
famous and the walks and rustic seats
are filled with delighted listeners.
But the chief attraction Of the Plaza
Is the Cathedral, which occupies one
entire side of the square, OF all the
churches in Mexico this, occupying the
site Of the Aztec temple which Cortez
destroyed three hundred and fifty years
ago, is the largest and most imposing.
Its high double towers rise far above
the houses of the city and are visible
for many miles around, and its inte-
rior contains rare collection Of al
most priceless objects. The church
was finished in 1867 and cost $1,000
900. 1t is in the shape of cross, and
is 426 feet long, 200 wide and 175 feet
high, while the towers that guard the
facade have an altitude Of 200 feet.
The vast interior contains five yanes,
six altars and fourteen chapcls. Sur
rounding the choir is balustradc of
metal that weighs twenty-six tons. II
came from China during :hc old days
Of Spanish dominion and is worth
fabulous sum Of money. Tho altar
was once the richest in the world.
Many of its most valuable treasures
have been taken from IL now, but it
still contains a glittcring array of can
dlesticks, chalices, crosses, censors
and statues that have every appearance
Of being valuable, whether they are so
or not. One of the ornaments of for
mer days was statue of the Assump-
ton, made of solid gold, ornamented
with diamonds, and valued at over 81,
100000. There was also gold lamp
which is said to have cost $40, 900. The
walls Of the cathedral are Of yellowish
stone, and the facade is claborately
decorated with stucco-work. A wide
flight Of stone steps leads to the grand
doorway, and above the latter rises a
minor tower. containing statues and
an Illuminated clock.-Mcrico Cor. san
Francisco Chronicle.