St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-09-28
Mexico's White House.

President DlaZ has moved MS OInclal
residence out to the Castle Of Chapultepec,
which becomes once mOre-for the hrst
time since the unluckv Macmillan ana
his charming wife lived there-the White
House of Mexico. Chapultepec is one OF
the loveliest spots imaginable. 1t IS unique
in itself as we'll as in its name-'Ihe Hill
Of the Grasshopper."
Montezuma made his summer house
here and an underground passage, still IN
existence, was made by his direction to a
point in the valley below, so that the AZ
tee chiettain could go and come as he
pleased Under the old cypress trees in
the park, the conqueror Cortez pitched
his tent afjer the celebrated "Noche
1'rste," or night of sorrow, when the AZ
tees fell upon the Spaniards and massa-
cread them. Here Maximilliam and the
unfortunate Carlotta made love as they
promenaded the magnificent marble ter
races which were built by order of the
austrian Grand Duke" Here the Amer
lean army fought bloody, but decisive
battle-one which has made the quee
word Chapultepec faAiliar to American
ears One might relate the numberless
historical incidents connected with the
spot, which abounds in memorials, If
space permitted, but the place itself de-
ruands some description.
Imagine park of 1000 acres, covered
with dense growth of cypress, many OF
the trees SEQ or 600 years old The gray
Spanish moss festooned from limb to
limb adds to the picturesqueness of the
scene. In the centre of this park-w hich
is surrounded by massive walls on three
sides, the old aqueduct forming the bar
II wit
mound, if such a term will express the
idea This mound is composed princi
| pally Of rock, and is probably two hundred
| feet i'll height. There is but one road to
| the top, the summit being inaccessible,
except by this single route.
| Upon the very apex stands the castle
matter front (Which direction you look
| The castle " as built in sections, and pre-
senSs no singular feature of architecture
except a peculiar double staircase thai
seems to have no supports. When Maxi
million 6rst saw the staircase he remarked
to the architect that he would not trust his
own weight upon it whereupon the de.
signer, with his Majesty's permission
brought a regiment of soldiers anc
marched them up and down the stairway
ten sbreast, thus demonstrating it!
strength. This staircase is the only ont
of its kind in existence, and is built oil
white marble and brass.
The terraces of Chapultepec are one o
the sights of Mexico. They are fooree
with white marble, with brass balustrades
and lighted with electricity. The uppe
terrace extends the entire distance arount
the castle and is twenty-four feet broad
Lovely little flower gardens are located a
frequent intervals and here are blooming
gerauiums, fuchias, heliotrops and mig
nonette, making the air rich with perfume
aud adding to the brightness of the scene
The finishing of the castle for tn
reception of President Diaz has been yer,
elaborate. The private apartments are il
the northwest wing. Each room is fres
coed appropriately. The chess room ha
chess board in the centre of the ceiling
with the bishops, kings and queens in
merry dance about it, the pawns furnish
ing appropriate music from the four corn
ers of the room. The private reception
parlor of the Presidents wife is 'done up
in pink silk, with plush and brocade hang
ings to match Every wall in the entir
suite of rooms is covered with silk brocad
instead of paper. The bed room occupies
by the President and his wife was decora
ted aud furnished at an expense of $50, O0C
The dining room has seating capacit
that is limited to thirty persons. TIL
magnificent solid silver that once belongs
to the Emperor Macmillan is to be used
but the china and glassware are not i
keeping with the royal magnifcence of tn
silver. One of the soup tureens require
four men to carry it when filled.-Onaah
| Pao