Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1896-04-23

M Oa stations and I
take water, on
company had an early Sunday mornin,
breakfast, during which time mea
tickets were distributed, twelve I,
each, emitting us to board at the Hote
lturtede for four days.
TO one unaccustomed to Mexican
life, manners and customs, Sunday il
the cities of the republic, while tn,
day may be observed by the religiousll
inclined, is unnoticeable as day o
rest and religious observance. All i,
hustle, hustle and commotion in the
quaint old streets with its moving mas.
OF lndescribable humanity. Shops are
open and wares of all kinds on sale
Catholicism of course is the prevailing
religion and the numerous shrines and
cathedrals that the traveller encounters
Is wonderful. Protestants, however,
are making many inroads and churc hes
and mission houses of several denom-
nations are seen in the cities.
The great Cathedral of the City of
Mexico, which we visited early Sunday
morning, is said to be the greatest and
most ambitious church building in the
western world, built upon the site of
the great temple of the Aztecs, de-
stroyed by Cortez on his occupancy OF
the city, the corner stone of which was
laid in 1913, foundation walls completed
In 1913, dedicated in 1867. The struc-
ture cost over 81, 000, 900, the bell SIO, 600.
The churches are open to the public
every day and thousands of worshippers
from the highest to the lowest visit
them.
During the four days sojourn in this
wonderful city, with its 3500O0 popula-
tion, many points of interest were Wis
tied. AS was somewhat va'Sposed
here | will allow Bro. Suisse, =. Man-
c,,ivna, 10 talk.
"The National Museum, though small
in comparison with the European
museums is nevertheless one of the
most interesting in the world, contain
ing a great many relics of the unwrit-
ten history of the races of mysterious
age. Here we saw the calendar stone
of the Aztecs, and also their sacrificial
stone, unearthed in the plaza mayor in
lI9l. This stone is some eight or ten
feet in diameter and nearly four feet
in thickness. 1t is circular and has a
basin in the center, with channel
leading to the rim for the purpose of
carrying of the blood. This stone
numbered its victims by the thousands
and tens Of thousands Captives taken
in war were offered up in the presence
of the multitude, and mid solemn, re-
ligious incantations, to appease the
wrath of the gods; often one and two
thousand of these captives of war were
sacrificed in a single day. The man
ner in which it was done differed from
methods employed by other tribes.
The victim would take his place on the
bloody stone and would be pinned down
by u heavy stone yoke, thrown over
the neck An incision would then be
made in the left breast with an obsid-
ian knife, by priest, who would thrust
his hand into the opening and tear the
heart from the quiyering body. This
the priest would toss into huge stone
basin, which may also be seen in this
museum, and, as the Aztecs were can
nibals, the bodies would be turned over
to the populace and by them quickly
devoured.
Numerous idols of the ancient Mexi-
cans were on exhibition. There are
many interesting relics of these people
in the time of the Montezumas, such
as examples Of the famous Aztec pic
ture writings representing the wander
derings Of the tribes, among which is a
shield of Montezuma III. Here is found
the red standard OF the conquest and a
portrait OF the Conqueror; also the
arms, armor helmet and breastplate
Of Alvarado. There are portraits OF
the yiceroys, together with articles
innumerable connected with the past
history OF this country.
The wing containing the relics ol
Macmillan is only open to the public
on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons
but through the efforts OF opal Joe,
the name by which our efficient guide
was known, we were admitted for 4
private view OF the silver plate Of this
unfortunate Emperor. Here also was
found the state coach, costing 100000
and many Of the personal effects Of poor
Carlotta.
Monta de Piedad is National pawn
shop, an institution which is in reality
a charity. To prevent the extortion o