The herald., 1897-03-28

To go from one to the other, as did, is
to become more or less bewildered.
There Is 2 samenese to them all in inte-
rior decoration IL one takes a hurried
view. I have just visited the cathedral
which is second, both in size and grand
eur only to the one in the City of Mex
leo. The construction If this magnifi-
cent structure began In the year 1885. It
is 1923 feet long by 101 wide, and has an
interior height of so feet: the whole be-
ing surmounted by a fine dome. The
tower contains eighteen bells, the larg-
est Weighing nine tons.
In the painting there Is richness of
color which often dfms the expression
on the features of the characters depict
ed. To paiE* face so like face that it
is natural is true art. If this assertion be
correct, then many Of the paintings fail
of the purpose for which they were in
tended. When the gift for color predom-
mates over the pure art IDEAL 1t affords
pleasure to the grosser senses, and con-
veys but little satisfaction to. the intel
lectual or spiritual understanding of art.
The Chinese, Japanese, and In q measure.
the Indians. have failed of intellectual
progress In art through this infatuation
for color. 1t would be presumption in one
to attempt anything like criticism of
the. painting in the churches have vis-
tied, and which have been by many.
better able than myself to judge OF their
merits. pronounced to be masterpieces;
yet, they do not impress me that way.
While technical skill may be all that is
desired, 1t Is difficult for me to trace the
religious conceptions Of the artists, IL
indeed many of them had any.
The people of Puebla derive their sup
port mainly from agriculture and min
ing, but glazed tiles are largely manu-
factured. These tiles are renowned for
beauty and artistic finish, and used for
decorating both the interior and ex-
terror of houses as we'll as of churches.
About fifteen miles from Puebla are
: situated the famous onxy quarries.
from which SO many articles both use
full and ornamental, are made. Puebla
is a busy city, the people being active
and energetic There are no women
loafers. and no tramps except tourists.
Two railroads touch here, the Inter-
oceanic and the Mexicano.
For the study of character unique
scenes and grotesque situations, a visit
mornings is we'll worth the time 1t takes.
Any one who has ever visited the old
French market in New Orleans will see
many things to remind him of the Gre
oles OF Louisiana. Through one section
are numerous booths containing cot
ton prints In bright colors, serapes, laces
and the thousand and one things that
go to make UP the toilet of the Mexican
belle.
Look at that beautiful woman" said
q gentleman to me. rs she not perfect
In form and feature?" Her skin was as
brown as berry, the upper portion Of
her body being covered with chemise
only; the neck, shoulders and arms were
bare. The arm was a model for an
artist; from the shoulder to the finger
tips 1t was exquisitely formed. The hand
was small, the fingers long and tapering.
Her thoat, neck andr-hu6t were full. with
graceful curves. xJature sometimes
takes queer freaks and produces from
the lowest strata of the human family
forms symmetrical In every part. The
black eyes OF this dark beauty had q
dreamy. distant look when In passive
mood. but when aroused their depths
seemed to Tighten as with Goals Of fire.
Passing on through the various de-
partments the interest In the surround
ing objects increases. Here are ex-
posed for sale typical Mexican hats, and
there fruits and vegetables, and so on,
to every imaginable thing to eat and to
wear, for comfort and for ornamental
ton.
On the journey from Puebla to Jalapa
the snow-capped peaks Of Ixtaccihuatl
and Popocatepetl keep you company.
The altitude OF the first IL II, 100 feet ana
Of the second 1880 feet. Round and
about their bsss the railway u carried.