The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-11-23
M6xIOO'S WHITE HOUSE.
The Magnificent Pffs cf Msrb,e That
Msximfifan Once aeeuof.d.

HNxHWffan Once tccuoftds
President Diaz has moved his official resi-
dence out 10 the castle Of Ch ,pultepec,
I wnr,. becomes once more. fCf the trst time
since the un,'...cky Macmillan and his
charming wife iived there, the white
house Of Mexico.
Ch,pultepec is one of the loyelest spots
/ imagin lbe. according 70 the Omaha bee.
II is unique In itself as we'll - In its name,
'''he bill of the grasShopper."
Montes,'r>a made his summer house here.
and an underground passage still in exit
eace was made by his direction 10 point in
the valley below. 50 that the Aztec chefSaIn
could 20 and come ms he pleased. Under
the old cypress trees in the park the con-
qnerof CDftez pitched his tent amer The celc-
brated "NOche Tfsief' or night OF sorrnw
when the Aztecs fell up<l the spaniards
and massacrcd them
Here MaXimili8n and the unfortunate
Carloita iita"s love as they promenaded the
magnificent mlrhie terraces. which were
built hy order of the "AuSfffir grand duke"
Here the American army fought ? bloody
but decisive battle--one which has made
the queer word Chapultepec familiar to
american ears. One might relate number
less historical incidents connected with the
spot. which abounds in memories. II space
permitted. but the place itself demands Some
description.
Ina zine park II 1000 acres covered
with a dense growth Of cypress. many OF
the frees 900 or 60 wears e.dan The gray
spanish moss. fest0oned from liinb 70 ilnD
adds 10 the piciuresq1cress ~ The scene.
In the center Of this park. which IL sur
rounded by massive walls or three sides,
the 0ld aqueduct forming II barrier or the
fourth. rises y PERCEPTIONS mound. if sncb
term will express the idea. This mound il
composed principally Of rock. and il pr0bd-
bly, POO feet IN height. Them Is but one rond
10 the top. The summit being inaccessible
except 10y this single route.
Upon the very apex stinds The castle.
completely covering the space. 80 that no
matter from which direction YOU look there
Is Il sheer descent Of nearly one hundred
feet. The castle WAS built in sections. ana
presents no singular feature Of architecture
except a peculiar double stlirclse tn :
seems 10 have no supports. When Maxi
milan first saw the staircase he rem irkrd /
% the architect tn he would not trust his /
weight upon il. wherenpon the designer !
with his maiesty's permission. brought = |
regiment of soldiers and marched them up /
in1 down the stairway ten abreast, thu,
demonstrating lis strength. The staircase
Is the only one Of its kind in existence. and
N huilt Of white marble and brass.
The terraces 80 thdnuitcpcc are one of
he sights Of Mexico. They are no0rcd with
Nh te m rble. with brass bllustrades. ana
ighted 10y electricity. The upper terrace
extends the ent r. distance around the cas-
le. and is twent, -four ieet broad. Loyel,
little flower gardens are located M ir quent
intervals. and here are blooming geran. .um-.
Hrhsias. helioirope and mign0neite. max
NJ the air rich with perfume and adding to
be brightness ot the scene.
The furnishing a the castle for the recep-
ion Of President b.az has been very ciabor-
lte. The private apartments are in th,
wing. Il lrh room is iresropd
The ci ess room has q chess
pola iH the centre # tBe ceiling with ibt
bishops. kings and guernes m "a merry dance
lhout il. the pawns furnishing apprnprlat,
music from the four corners Of tn room.
The private reception parl0r of The ireei-
len's wife is done up' In pink sllk. with
,lush and hrocade hngings to match.
Every wall I'm the entire suit Of rooms II
oyered with silk bfocade instead OF paper.
The bedroom occupied BY the President
nd his wife was decorated and furnished
L an expense OF $4,000. The dining-rOum
e. a seating capacity tht is limited l.
hirty persons. The magnificent solid sill
er tnat once belonged 70 The Emperor Max
milan is 10 he used. hut the china anC |
Glassware are not in Keeping with the royal |
lagnitcence Of the silver; one Of the SOU
ilreens requires four men 20 carry il When
lied.
President Diaz is greatly loved by his fol.
)wers, and he will doubtless make tn
astle OF Chapultepec quite as bri
ant rs il WAS IN the days when TN
ustriaR and Empress Carloita drove
heir eight gray horses and golden stit,
hiriot up the hill and made the casil'
ng from alcoNe to gallery. from CARR sor
, the entrance gates. with gayety. Nine
'iaz il a most brilliant woman. and can r
ntertain royalty should she take the notion.
II Mexico has its eyes upon her. and II r
Iaip- with her to add immeasurably 10 ih,
Iyeties of the capital.