The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-08-28
The Great Cathedral Of Mexico.

Cathedral III the City of Mexico. II
would be impossible to do fall justice
to this magnificent structure WITHIN
the limits of a single article, but the
following notes and facts. taken from
the work of Lorenzo Castro. Will con
vey some idea of the size, beauty ana
grandeur of this imposing editice.
Visitors to Mexico will appreciate how
far this description falls short IN con-
yeying full sense of the marvellous
attractions of the Cathedral. 1t VIII
be. however, interesting reading to our
Catholic friends and to tourists that
propose to visit the land Of the Aztec.
We shall take occasion ere long, IN
compliance with the request of one OF
our subscribers. to present the tradl-
ton and describe the sanctuary OF the
Holy Virgin of Guadalupe. Patroness
of Mexico.
II would take q book to describe that
| fine monument; we can only afford to
give brief sketch of it. The ediiice
stands on the side of the main square,
and is built on the same spot where
stood the temple dedicated to the Aztec
god. rIIuitzilspotchi.' tuielal god OF
the nation. 1t was begun in 1878, by
order of King Philip H., Don Pedro
Nova de Contreras being archbishop, |
and was completed in 1867 under the
government of Don Fray Marcos
Ramirez de Prado, 81 years after IFS
corner stone had been laid, at cost OF
lS1.752, 600. which sum was paid by
Philip III, Philip III. Philip Nv. and
Charles II. (surnamed the bewitched)
This building is about 432 feet long
from north to south. and about 2O3
feet wide from east to west. without
counting the space which is situated
between it's porch and the level OF the
square, about lao feet, which IS sur
,, rounded on the south. east and west by
124 columns, over feet high, to which
! are fastened iron chains; about 10 feet
5 lfrom the chains are II ash trees equal
lv distant from the column, and in
: narallel line with them. These const;-
: tute one of the finest walks in the city.
| and is known as the Paseo de las Ca
e denas. 1t is particularly attractive by
D moonlight.
nj The entrance to the prebandary is
fiue railing, the principal front OF
6 the building which faces south, has
three entrances. composed Of three
STYLES of architecture-tbe first Doric,
J the second Ionic with statues IN base
8 relief.
Its two towers are 200 feet in height.
and cost $199. 000 Between the two
% towers, and above the main entrance,
% is n beautiful clock, with face of gilt
"a metal, above which are three theologl-
= cal virtues. artistically executed In
,6 the two towers are forty-eight bells.
u Those worthy of notice are: First.
e. Santa Marie de GuadalouPe (Haly
e Mary of Guadaloupe,) which is Sc feet
d in hight; second. that of 'DunaMaria, :
III which weighs $4,000 pounds; and third
IT called Saint "Angel, weighs 14,00e
V pounds.
Besides the entrances already men
toned. the cathedral has three more
u two of which are situated on the nortf
II of the building. on one side OF which
?. is the chapel Of Las Animas (the souls
y where the remains OF the clergy arr
y deposited
in The cupelo and lantern, which II
n height is nearly on a level with th'
= towers, show elaborate and tasteful
4 art.
- The interior Of the ediEce belongs Z
!. the Doric order; has beautiful and ele
~ waited arches, five naves, two closed ant
De three opened. the latter with fourteen
a pillars with columns on each OF 1t
i'll sides; from the pilasters start the archie
to meet others before 1t, and on IN
side of the two lateral naves are loca
ted fourteen chapels. all enclosed Wit
III balustrades of iron and carved wood
De besides the six chapels named as fol
Id lows: First, Delos Reyes (of the Kings
where are buried the yiceroys; second
~ Las Animas. (the Souls}; third, De
Buen Despatcho (of the Good Resolu
tionl: fourth, San Jose (St. Joseph,
of fifth, San Rorenzo (St. Lawrence), an
sixth, the FL Pardon (the Pardom i
'S' the latter mass is said every half a
at hour every day during the year
of Between the vaults and other spac
of the temple arc l47 windows, and
the cupola and lantern already mcI
toned, the presbyterium. where stand
ew the main altar. which is situated
no the middle of the church, between til
choir and the altar of the kings,
W. which one ascends to flight of wld
N steps; the four fronts of the altar al
,lp surrounded by balustrade OF met
- called tumbago. which extends in
straight line on either side until
reaches the choir; this balustrade
ornamented with sixty-two statue
who hold chandelier OF the san
az metal in one hand.
INT The cypress over the main altar
les sustained by eight columns. coYert
nr with stucco. in which are located Il
~ magnificent statues of the apostle
nd evangelists and principal saints. all
At natural size. Above the second ord
IT of architecture is a group OF angel
above which is the mother OF our X
'eo deemer; all, formerly. were cover
led with precious stones, etc. Its treasur
zen at one time, was enumerated as II
"a lows: Twenty chaliccs of gold; 6 W
NV sells of gold, in which wine and wat
the are served for mass; 1872 rubies; 10