The Opelousas courier., 1895-06-29
Mexico.

Mexlco the news had been reon;va1 c,y ~ y
fnS en5re oy telegraph that party of ,ro rnn.
leuetate Veterans from the Honstn,
aeunion ae., would reach that citv on tbl
setn OF May, and the E. O. C,Ord Pos,
ta, -, .ne Grand Army of the Repuhiic ha 20" !
Saee saAom steps to give the Confederate
reaeai se.elans ana their friends a rovaI
ssaap sIseepelon. AS the train bearing onr
sW,eepel WaI p1iied up at the station of the
eArcan .ho central r. r. the members Of
n';1;t, ri1 ", a. II. Post and the magnificent
f;;a,y fnrn;ay oand OF fifty members, kindly
eneu eonntsn 1or the occasion by the
SW9ui!eous commandant of the citv Of
mexico, we're drawn in line and ~ III Ul
tram stopped, the melodious strains ,nf 1,f
tiP celebrated band greeted the ~ ears ears Of Of
tae incoming visitors with thn fan,;I;o or =
n:tes of Hail Columbia. and as 't"a ma
anghted from the cars the banl s,rnciS
up tnaG soulstlrring Southern air. DIVE
anu IL is scarcely necessary to add thai
.nele came prompt and enthusiasm
response from the old vets in tha shepo
OF genuine, old fashioned "RahaI
yell" The graceful compliment 90
GRACEFULLY rendered and execntai hv
the Boys in Blue. was kindly annre, ny
clated and gratefully acknoWled aed hv
our party, and made us at once feai ~
aome, Notwithstanding we wern IN
foreign soil. And We take oleasnre in in
saying right here that the kind and
courteous attentions shown our partv
uur.ng our stay in that city by the
gentlemanly members of Ord Post @
-. II. OF the city OF Mexico satisfied us
lnas the Boys in Blue of Mexico are
maze or the material that constituted
.he oraVe and true soldier in war and
Ine generous aud progressive citizen in
peace no matter where he may be.
Ihe population Of the city of Mexico
,s over 5O00OO, being considerably
larger M than New Orleans. 1t is about
'|.ooo feet above sea level, on an extern
save plateau IN picturesque valley
surrounded by high mountains, and
including several lakes. We can only
specify few of the numerous magnif,
cent buildings aud points Of interest in
this lovely city, and will confine onr
article to those places we visited, being
accompanied by very intelligent and
well>posted guide Ga Mexican) Who was
educated in Boston and spoke both
Spanish and English huentIy. The
most OF our party had put up at the
Hotel lturbide, the principal hotel in
the city, and said to possess the onlv
passenger elevator in Mexico. Our
hrst sOrtte was to the Cathedral, the
Holy Metropolitan Church of Mexico,
situated on the Plaza Mayor, also called
the LOcalo, where once stood the
ancient Toltec Temple of Tenochtitlan.
The first church on this spot was finish
ed in 1898; but the present building
was not commenced till fifty years
later, when the corner stone was laid.
The roof was not put on till 1893, and
three years after the first mass was
said /; and it was yet forty five years
before the church was dedicated. The
towers were completed in 1891, at
cost of nearly 100000 and the total
amount expended has been more than
81, ,225, 900. The dimensions are 397 by
liz feet, with height Of 179 feet. The
towers are 203 feet 6 inches high, all are
built of cut stone, the roof being of
brick tiles. The ascent to the towers
nay be made from the small door near
he main entrance. The view is a very |
inc one. The group of bells is very
curious and the largest on the CONT |
,ent. The largest bell called Santa
Maria de Guadalupe, is nineteen feet |
high and cost over $4,000. The second
argest, DOna Maria, is in the eastern
over. The interior is in the shape of
! form of Latin cross. The arched
md vaulted roof, with the rich decora-
ions, massive affairs of intricate carv-
Dgs, the choir and organ, are grand
,eyond description. There are seven
hapels on each side, separated by |
arved ratings and gratings. The
hoir and main altar are inclosed by a
massive railing Of gold, silver and cop
'er. There are some fine paintings
90 numerous to mention.
The group of churches about the
cathedral are very interesting. The
,apella de las Animas, chapel Of the
ouIs, is just in the rear but has no con
ection with the main building. The
agariO Metropolitano is on the east
nd was the first parish church Of the
ity, founded in 1881, and is one Of tho
lost beautiful in Mexico; its rich
acade and interior decorations are
uperb; the Capilla de la Soledad is
etween this and the Cathedral. Near
v is the parish church of San Pablo.
Four squares north OF the Cathedral
, the Church of Santo Domingo and
he house Of the Inqnisition, now used
q medical college,; near the south
nd of tho same plaza ls fountain
,hich marks the spot where it is said
10 eagle came down and picked up the
make, and performed the act which
ave Mexico its coat OF arms.
There are hundreds OF churches in
,e city Of Mexico, and it may be that
very one has some story quaint aDd
ueer, but it is impossible to give even
leir names or localities.
The National school of fine arts was
ext visited it is two squares east OF
le Cathedral, and contains much to
,terest the visitor. The National Mu-
,um, one square east Of the Cathedral,
,ntains many very interesting relics
by-g0De ages, and we spent couple
hours here viewing the many rare
,hibits. The next point of interest
sited was the National Pawn-shOp, or
oute Piedad, also in the vicinity.
,me of our party also visited the Mint
Id were cOurteOusly received ana
lown the workings Of that interesting :
stitutiOn.
We we're also courteOusly shown
roupl, the National Palace which
cupiss the entire east side Of the
aza Mayor, where once stood the
lace Of Montezuma. The Hall OF the ,,
mhaasadors contains the portraits Of
e heroes Of MexicO's wars against
,ain, by native artists.
The Flower Market is a kiosk OF glass,
the west side of the Cathedral; no.
here IN the world can be found more
,autifnl flowers, and nowhere SO cheap.
The Alameda is beautiful park at
. haad Of San Francisco street, I
Am manadinp Mace for the higher I