The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-10-18
MExlco's WHITE HOUSE.
The Magnificent PHO of Marble Once 90.
cup,ed by Macmillan.


President Diaz has moved his
official residence out to the Castle
of Chapultepec. which becomes once
more-for the first time since the I'M
LUCKY Macmillan and 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
The Hill of the Grasshopper.
Montezuma made his summer house
here. and an under passage still in ex-
istence, was made, by his direction to
point in the valley below. so that the
Aztec chieftain could do as he pleased.
Under the old cypress trees in the park
the conqueror Cortez pitched his tent
after the celebrated ..Noche Triste," or
night of sorrow, when the Aztecs fell
upon the Spaniards and massacred
them. Here Macmillan and the un-
fortunate Carlotta made love as they
prOmenaded the magnificent marble
terraces which were built by order of
the Austrian Grand Duke" Here
the American army fought bloody
but decisive battle-one which has
made the queer word Chapultepec fa-
miliar to American ears. One might
relate numberless historical incidents
connected with the spot which abounds
in memories. if space permitted. but
the place itself demands some descrip-
ton.
Imagine park of 1000 acres. COW
cred with dense growth of cypress,
many of the trees 500 or 600 years old
The gray Spanish moss festooned from
limb to limb adds to the picturesque
ness of the scene. In the center OF
this park-which is surrounded by
massive walls on three sides. the old
aqueduct forming the barrier on the
fourth-rises prccipitous mound, if
such term will express the idea. This
mound is composed principally of rock,
and is probably 200 feet in height.
There is but one road to the top, the
summit being accessible. except by this
single route.
Upon the very apex stands the castle
completely covering the space. so tina!
no matter from which direction you
look. there is a sheer descent of nearly
one hundred feet. The castle was built
in sections, and presents no singular
feature of architecture. except pecul-
lar double staircase that seems to have
no supports. When Macmillan first
saw the staircase he remarked to the
architect that he would not trust his
own weight upon it; whereupon the
designer, with His Majesty's ermis-
sion, brought d regiment of soldiers
and marched them up and down the
stairway ten abreast, thus demonstrate
ing it's strength. The staircase is the
only one of its kind in existence, and
is built of white marb and brass.
The terraces at Chapultepec are one
of the sights of Mexico. They are
foored with white marble, with brass
balustrades, and lighted by electricity.
The upper terrace extends the entire
distance around the caste and is twen-
ty-four feet broad. Lovely little flower
gardens are located at frequent inter-
Vals, and here are blooming gerani-
ums, fuchias, heliotrope and mignon-
cite, making the air rich with perfume
and adding to the brightness of the
scene.
The furnishing of the castle for the
reception of President Diaz has been
very elaborate The private apart
ments are in the northwest wing
Each room is frescoed appropriately.
The chess room has a chess board in
the center of the ceiling. with the
bishops, kings and queens in a merry
dance about it, the pawns furnishing
appropriate music from the four COR
ners of the room. The private recep-
ton parlor of the Presidents wife is
''done up" in pink silk with plush and
brocade hangings to match. Every
wall in the entire suit of rooms is COW
cred with silk brocade instead of pa
per. The bedroom occupied by the
President and his wife was decorated
and furnished at an expense of $780, 000
The dining room has seating capacity
that is limited to thirty persons. The
magnificent solid silver that once be-
longed to the Emperor Macmillan is
to be used but the china and glassware
are not in keeping with the royal mag.
nifcence of the silver; one of the soup
tureens require four men to carry it,
when filled.
Presi lent Diaz is greatly loved by his
followers. and he will doubtless make
the castle of Chapultepec quite as bril-
liant as it was in the days when the
Austrian and Empress Carlotta drove
their eight gray horses and golden
state chariot up the hill and made the
castle ring from alcove and gallery,
from garrison to the entrance gates
with gayety. Nine. Diaz is a most
brilliant woman and n entertain roy
ally. should she take the notion. All
Mex co has its eyes upon her. and ii
remains with her to add immeasurably
to the gayeties OF the capital. Cor.
Omaha Bee.
According to the Buffalo Adver-
tiser. Paris dressmaker thus explained
the system on which goods are sold to