The Irish standard., 1899-04-01

towns, glittering like silver in the bright
sunligt. 1t is the grandest panorama
OF mountains. valleys. lakes and cities
| ever belcld. 1t is Incompatible,
matchless, alone worth trip from the
United States
In the city the most interesting places
are the Cathedral, Museum, Art Gallery
and the parks. The Cathedral, the Holy
Metropolitan Church OF Mexico. CON
secrated as the Church OF the .Asuncion
de Maria Santisima. is built upon or
near the site OF the great Aztec Temple
UeocallD that the Spaniards destroyed
when the city was conquered in 1871
When the temples OF the .Aztccs in the
center OF Tenochtittan were RACED to
the ground the first church OF the City
OF Mexico was built on the spot where
Tie temple stood. This church, finished
about three years after the conquest, was
replaced soon after by the first Ca,hc-
dral. The present cathedral was COM
mcnccd i'll 1873 and was completed in
1907. 1t cost about $4,000, 900. 1t has
in one OF its towers the largest bell that
is in working order in the world The
Cathedral itself, is second in size only
to St. Peters in Rome The architecture
is very beautiful and on the inside are
a number OF valuable paintings.
The museum is d very interesting
place and contains large number OF
relics pertaining to the carly history
Of Mexico. including Aztec idols. tn.
calendar stone, the sacrihcial stone and
numerous other curious objects Maxi
milian's state carriage gorgcousy dec
GRATED with gold gazcd at for some
time. recalling to mind his sad death
and the crosses on the hill at Queretcro.
His magnificent silver service is also
in one OF the rooms oi the museum The
art gallery which is only a few doors
from the museum contains some valua
bic pictures by Murillo, Rubens, Van
Dyke, Nelasqucz and others.
Guadaloupe, a pretty little suburb to
the north OF the city. is one OF the lead
ing attractions. 1t contains Il beautiful
church in which there is painting OF
the Virgin, the origin OF whic', is said
to be in Il miracle. There is also
chapel built over 4 spring. whose origin
is also miraculous. Our Lady OF Qua
daloupc is the patroness and protcctrcss
OF Mexico and her shrine is the holes.
i'll all Mexico Back OF the church on a
l,ll is cemetery where Santa anna.
The famous Mexican general is buried.
In the suburb called 'racubaya about
three miles south OF the city saw a
sight that ] shall probably never see
again. There is beautiful plaza there
and band OF about so pieces plays
sweet music for the thousands OF people
who are scattered through the grounds.
1t is the great gambling place. the Mon
tic Carlo OF Mexico. There are long
tables loaded with money around which
are ladies and gentlemen in fashionable
attire bucking the tiger like veteran
gamblers. The night | was there 10000
people must have been on the grounds.
| took i'll a bull fight too, but | never
want to see another. 1t is a terribly
brutal and bloody affair, and dlsg,tstS
and horriies the average man. The
poor horses who are blindfolded are
compelled to bear the brunt OF the con-
iliet and are gored TO death one after
another by the infuriated bull Ii the
horses were taken out OF the fight it
would not be a bad show. | could not
stand the sight and when the second
bull was in the ring tainted and was
SO weak that had to be led to my
carriage
The Alameda and the Zocalo, the two
principal parks of the city, are vc"y
beautiful. Bands play in them on certain
afternoons and evenings. On Sunday
from ten o'clock in the morning until
one o'clock in the afternoon the Ala.
media presents very animated appear
ance The best band in the city is there
playing superbly and under long anvil
ing stretched over the broad avenue
hundreds OF finely dressed and aristo-
cratic people are strollng. On each side
are long ranges of chairs upon which
you can sit as long as you please by
paying IL cents. In the evening from
; TO 7 the Paseo is filled with hand
some carriages Music is also heard
there at the gorieta OF Guatemoc. Lie
i'll the capital is very pleasant, indeed.
The climate is almost perfect and the
beauty and novelty OF the place does
not soon wear off.
But must leave the city and press
on. Cuernavaca is my next stopping
place. 1t is 4 charming little city and
quite summer resort. 1t was at one
time the home OF Cortcz and later OF
Macmillan. Pueblo, or the City OF the
Angels, was next visited. 1t is noted
for its beautiful churches and is ahead
in that respect OF any other city in
Mexico. Jalapa is another quaint and
curious city. 1t is an old town. The
houses on both sides OF the narrow
streets are ancient in appearance and it
seems that you have stepped back into
Il former age OF the world. Vcra'ruz.
the place from which am writing, is
my last stop in Mexico 1t is a city