Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-01-23
UTY OF THE ANGELS.
Z vleir 70 the FINEST CITY m
MEXICO
eUsblo as - Angeles. saA lts Wcnders-
fhs strsets sna Quaint BaIldinss-
TAs Famsas Cashsdrsl- Beau
tSos - ths Alsas.


| tFannte T. ward . fueb1a Letter.
This @City Of the Angels" is one Of the
few In modern Mexico which was not
built upon the ruins IT former A tee great
ness. but wss an original idea Of the early
Spanish col0nista Its site. on the green
plain Of Acayete. was formerly occupied
BY few huts belonging to the tho. ula
by productive cornaelda beyond which
plant stretched away " the foothills Of
the Siern Madras
The preaent city is considered by many
the finest in Mexico Il Is the rival Of
Guadalajara in beauty. and 10 second in
size 10 the capital, with = population Of
nearly 200, ,OOO Il was founded in 1881,
and was named Puebla do los Angeles
I, ity Of the Angeb because Of the tradi
ton, still devoully believed. that while its
cathedral was being constructed the work
was continued every night when the
workmen slept by angels, who added ss
man stones IS the builders had placed by
day Since SO. the city has been called
uebla de sragoza in hor or of the Mex
ican general who defea;ed the French
army here In that year.
The streets Of Fuebla are wider and
letter paved than thOse Of most Mexican
cities. and its Two -storiol buildings are in
pleasant contrast with Il e prevailing style
Of interior towns. wheU the narrow stony
alleys are overshsdoweG by the gloomy.
low rooted casas Of . bygone age. Be
sides the inevitable central plaza and the
great Alameda grove of elms PueblA re.
joices in no less than twenty six public
parks. all Of which are well shaded. and
flower tiled spaces. where the populace
congregaie nightly. The shop fronts
and most of the houses are built
Of six sided bricks. with small blue
tiles set in between. tthers are q
per ect mosaic of Dutch or China tiles
upon ground work of Pompeiian red.
arranged In all manner of designs. and
having numerous lacuues and panels.
upon which saints are carved or painted.
let into tie walls The effect b extremely
quaint Although somewhat startling at
first TO foreign eyes. one so, n becomes ac-
customed To the vivid coloriug. and comes.
10 regard our commonplace dwellings
much as q collector Of ceramics looks
upon deli as compared with decorated
pottery. The finest ties on the continent
are made in tuebla. and here are no less
than dozen fabrscas for their manufact
ure
The famous cathedral once one Of the
richest in the world. 10 still the great at
traction for tourists. though much Of its
pristine splendor disappeared with the de-
cadence Of papal power. Standing in the
midst Of majestic Expresses. and sur
rounded bs wide stretch of marble pave
shadowy hands: but on the coDtrary.
everything looks - substantial - though |
designed for eternity. The facade Of the |
northern entrance Il embellisbed with |
statues and medsllions In marble and the
mitre and keys Of the pope On the face
Of the western tower IL fine cd clock, |
made In Madrid more than two centuries |
ego.
The main entrance Of the cathedral Il |
toward the west and here are more stat |
ues. occupying numerous niches. scores |
Of sculptured saints and coveys of legless |
cherubim hoves:ng around the marble slab. |
which tells US that the gloomy pile was
erected 1854 The immense marble |
paved spare surrounding 1t Is inclosed /
within . high. spear pointed iron fence.
whose nnumerable posts OF massive gran
ite are oil faced by bronze casts in has re
lief. and topped by angels with out
stretched wiDga All these bronzes were
cast BY an American named Marshall. for
merry from New York city. who lived in
MEXICO IOf many year&
Though untold treasures In the way of 1
gold. silver and precious stones were con.
fscsied from this church BY the anti Cath
olic regime. It Il still enormously rich
The finest collection Of marbles in the
world enters into its construction. not
even excepting the celebrated Tai Mshul.
Of India erhsps its most striking object
Is the main altar. 1t was erected In 1872
by prelste Of Fuebla. and affords the
greatest display Of the beautiful Mexican
onyx - b found anywhere In the repub-
lie. which Is famous Tor II ne b aston,
ished BY the infinite variety Of dnts-from
rose color TO Nile green. dark yellow. and
mahogany brown Among all the most
conspicuOusly lovely b the pure white
transparent alabaster from the exhaust.
less Quarries near uebla
A massive railing and steps Of translu.
cent onyx lead to circular platform ele
vated len feet above The oor. beneath
which are buried the successive bishops
uf FueblA This exquisite sepulchre IL
entirely Of the most precious
materials. and ID divided into inches and
panels. the whole covered with dome of
transparent alabastcr. whose crystal like
clearness b enhanced by trimmings Of
bronze and gold From the center of
Ibis wonderful canopy depends . huge
Ill er lamp. which burns forever above
h. ,e.l. 1