Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-14
ON THE VIGA ,AAAL.

which is now the mere shadow of its
former self a half-deserted, decaying vii
Iage are found the most interesting col
lection of Cortes relics i'll all Mexico. one
sees here the banner which accompanied
Cortes in his memorable march, the stand
ard which Cortes presented to the TAX
calan chiefs who befriended him, portraits
in oil OF the latter. the robes which they
wore at their baptism and the loht IN
which they We're baptized, a silken en-
broidery on which is pictured the first
battle between the Spaniards and TlaX-
caldns: and one can visit the palace occu-
pied by Cortes.
After turning aside with some of the
Spaniards to ascend Popocatepetl for sui
phur to be used in gunpowder, We enter
the valley of Mexico by way of Ameca-
MEGA as Ccrtes did. and gaze with him in
astou.shed and speechleSS admiration upon
the magnificent prospect spread before u.s.
In the center of the great basin were
beheG the lakes, occupying then much
larger portion of the surface thar at pres
eut; their borders thckly studded with
towns and hamlets. and, in the midst
like some Indian empress with her coronal
of pedrls-the fair El:y of Mexico with her
white towers and pyramdal temples, re-
posing as it were on the bosom of the
waters"
We descend in Cortes' footsteps, and
after brief halt at Ixtapalapa. where.
In the palace of Cuitlahua. Montezu-
mas brother, the Spaniards We're royalty
entertained we follow Cortes upon the
straight into the City of Mexico.
Historic Points in the Aztec Capital.
Where the Hospital of Jesus now stands
. Montezuma welcomed the Spaniards, and
thence they marched to their quarters near
the present Plaza Majo- and cathedral.
We can rebuilt In imagination the vast
pile OF M0nteZuma's palace, on the site OF
the present national palace. and the
suburban castle Of Chapuitepec, which
l:rr,, - oil har str
playing upon the heights which it crown
ed the same venerable expresses which
are admired there today. We can imagine
the ludacious capture of MonteZuma N his
own city and castle. and finally after many
viciss:tudes of fortune the attempt of the
Spaniards to escape from the city on Noche
Triste. the sorrowful night. by way of the
western CauSeway We can recreate the
terrible struggle along the dixie, aided by
structures which mark historic points of
this exodus. The movable bridge. built by
the Snaniards as a substitute for draw
bridges, destroyed by the Aztecs, stuck
fast in TIE first interseCting canal of the
causeway, and the second canal could he
crossed only upon a bridge of dead bodies.
AT this point now stands the ancient
church of San Hipoito, upon whose wall
is carved this inscriptions $50 great was
the slaughter of SpaHiarls by the Aztecs
In this place on the ntgnt of July |. 1920,
named for this reason the Dismal Night,
that after having in the following year re-
entered the city trumphantly, the con-
querors resolved 10 build here a chapel TO
be called the Chapel of the Martyrs; and
which should be Dedicated to San H:po:to,
because the capture of the city occurred
upon that saints day" The point in the
CalIsLwiy is also indicated where Alva-
RADIO is said to have made his famous leap
across brdseless canal, using his spear
as pole, and breaking all the records for
pole vaulting. Farther out at Popotla =
the Noche Triste tree. under which Cortes
Is said To have wept on the Dismal Night,
a tree jealousy guarded by the govern
ment. The only notable Spanish public
memorials preserved in Indian-ruled Mexico
thus commemorate a famous slaughter of
the Span,ards and the spot where the Span
ish leader shed tears Of modification and
grief.
Having seen Cortes ANONYMOUSLY chased
out of Mexico must imagine him re-
cuperating at Tlaxcala. collecting and dis
ciplnir a new army, building briga ntines
to serve as his navy on Lake Tezcuco, and
finally engaging In a fierce struggle with
the soldier, OF Guatemozin. the new Aztec
emperor a heroic figure in the war and
cutting his way over the Iztapalapan cause
way. back to his old quarters near the py-
randall Aztec temple, and to the mastery
OF the city.