Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-11-02
MEXICAN LETTER.
a Visit to the National Palace and the
Museum-Ancient Architecture.
The Antiquities OF Mexico Dating Back to
the Migration Of the Aztec Tribes.
Emblems of the Conquest
Special correspondence of the Gazette.

Special correspondence of the Gazette
CITY OF MEXICO, Oct. 26.-When the
lots of partition of the city of Penoch-
titan were drawn by the Spanish con-
quarers, the site now occupied by the
Palacio National fell to the lot of Cortes.
newly erected palace of Montezuma.
Cortss caused to be built a large low
house capped by thanking towers. The
property was confirmed to him by a royal
order III 1929, and he and his heirs con-
tInued in possession of it until 1862,
when it was bought by the crown and set
apart as the vicsroyal residence. The
primitive building was destroyed in the
wars of 1892, in which year the present
palace was begun. Since then additions
have been made to it. and at present it
is one of the largest, as well as the ugli-
est buildings in the city. 1t occupies the
whole eastern side of the Plaza Mayor,
having frontage of 675 feet. In it are
the following departments: presidency,
state treasury, headquarters Of the
army. archives, senate, postotfiee, and
the astronomical and meteorological bu-
Noah's Ark. From an architectural
view there is little to recommend it. The
patio or principal court is large and of
handsome proportions, so is the court of
the presidency. The hall of ambassadors
is notable for the full length portraits of
prominent leaders of
THE REYoLTs AGAINST SPAIN,
and other celebrities, the work OF Me1i-
can artists. Historically the most not
able are Hidalgo, Yturbide, Morelos,
Guerrero, Matamoras and Allende, also
the Presidents Arista and Jusrez. Ar
tistically the more noticeable are Hi
dalgo by Ramirez, and Arista by Pm
greet; also fine picture of the battle of
Cinco de Mayo MAY 5, 1862 by Mi
rando. Ramirez is also notable as hay-
ing painted the picture of Macmillan
and his Empress Carlotta. He was an
intimate friend of the emperor, and
when he died few months before Max
imllian s downfall, although in abject
poverty, the emperor sent one of his
ministers to see that he should be buried
with all the honors due to his talent.
In this portion of Palacio, formerly 90
oupied by the mint, is the Museo Ma
tional, open daily Saturday excepted)
from 10 q. m. to IL m. The museum is
divided into two sections, natural his
tory aud antiquities. The first Is divided
into many departments. That of miner
alogy is especially fine, showing the
manifold resources of Mexico. Also
specimens from most all parts of the
world have found place in it. The re-
mains OF msstodons found in the valley
of Mexico are also interesting. 1t IS
fortunate for the tourists that they have
disappeared, otherwise excursions on
foot in the valley would be attended BY a
little danger. The varieties of birds is
beautiful. A good many are from Qua
temals and South America, and also an
emu from Australia and an mex from
New Zealand. The most beautiful of all.
with the exception of the Tyre aud bird
of paradise, is specie which is found in
Guatemala named the llave, after its
discoverer. 1t is Of many colors, about
the size of d parrot, but its body ia long
and slender aud prettisr head. The
plumage of its tail Is
IT'S CHIEF BEAUTY.
1t consists of four or five plumes over
eighteen inches in length aud of beau
tiful green. Its plumage was much
used by the princes and mobiles In adorn-
ing their heads.
The reptile, fish, mollusk and crusta-
cea rooms are . worthy of notice. The
enakes of Mexico are anything but small
that is, in the hot lands. Here in the
valley no reptiles are found. There are