The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-24

MIR. \. X. Mcclure. of Philadelphia. i!
Aztec region Of the American continent
In recent communication from the City
of Mexico dated from that city on tbs
18th instant, Mr. Mcclure says:
The Mexican capital is distinguished
frcm all other cities in the Western
world by its multitude OF churches and
statues. Ycu cannot visit any important
part of the city withsut having pres nted
statues of heroes, statesmen. and saints
and generally of most artistic execution.
Che of the most conspicuous of the
statues is that of Charles " of Spain.
II has had rather stormy career. as in
the revolutionary periods of Mexico pub
IL sentiment slrged strongly against
everything Spanish, ard it was at times
i'll danger oil utter destruction, but it was
finally. by general consent. given the
place of honor at the beginning of the
great causeway leading to Chapultepec
that is largely embellished with statues
on either side.
Another of the grand statues of the city
is that of Columbus with q number OF
monks who gave him aid, decorating the
summit of the pedestal; and the next
grand statue on the causeway is that of
CuauhtemOc, the nephew of Montezuma IL.
who strove to maintain the kingdom of
the Aztecs after the fall Of his uncle. until
he was captured by Cortez. The statue
does justice to his heroic qualities. He
died under torture for refusing to give in
f.Nr-F ffg,yN L.
Aztec capital. that had been destroyed
when Cortez re-entered Mexico and es-
tablished his mastery.
1t would be impossible to give details of
the many very beautiful statues which
adorn the city and which represent every
phase of Aztec, Spanish. and Mexican life
and every historic race OF the country that
has been so often conyulsed by bloody con-
ficts
The Tomb of the Great Juarez.
The one statue that calls out the warm
est affections of the Mexican people is
that on the tomb of Juarez, the Indian
President, who was deposed by Macmillan
and in turn executed the Austrian invader.
1t stands in the cemetery of San Fernan-
do. connected with one OF the old churches
bearing that name. Over the grave OF
the dust of the President is reared a most
beautiful GrecIan temple, supported by ex-
quisite marble columns, and on the tomb
is recumbent statue of Juarez, claimed
to be one of the most finished illustrations
Of sculpture in the world. with his head
by female figure representing
Mexican liebrty. as Columbia represents
freedom in the United States. This little
No. Il u
covered with living or artificial flowers.
which are changed with formal ceremonies
IN every anniversary of his birth. Fresh
lowers daily come to grace his grave
rom the affections of the Mexican people,
and the varied beauties of the structure,
executing the statue, are entirely hidden
~ the beautiful interviewer immortelles
md other floral tributes.
Mexico is distinguished not only in the
grandeur of its statues and monuments.
but here is a national library containing
200. 0C0 volumes, embracing many vellum
and parchment books, where the student OF
history could revel for months; and the
Government has its library in every de-
1artment. including its museum, Academy
If Fine Arts. and schools OF engineering
and Of law, and 10 these may be added a
Tree library OF many thousand Volumes
that is open every day in the year except
east days.
There is also a National School of Fine
Arts, embracing many pictures Of eXcep-
ional value. and the NaticEal Museum is
he place where the interest of the intel
igent visitor most centres. There we have
all that is preserved of the
history of the Indian people who wrote
heir records in the early and bloody his
DRY of Mexico Several large rooms are
devoted to these works which have been
PRESENTED to the museum. as required by
aw. from every State Of the Republic but !
he most interesting of all have been re-
emily found in this city. No archaeology |
al search has been made for them, but in |
atsr improvements made in the city they |
ave been discovered in the digging Of !
oundations and opening of sewers. It is |
rom these recent discoveries. all made |
within the present century and most OF |
hem withiU the last two score years, that |
We have the best records of the Aztec civ |
liZation in the CITY Of Mexico.
Old Relies of the Aztec Race
Cortez destroyed the homes and temples |
f the conquered Indians. and the monks |
Tho closely followed him. studiously |
ought to efface every vestige of Aztec |
istory. They were regarded as PaEans-
heir temples as blasphemy-and instead |
+ preserving the history of the race, as
ould have been done. only here and there
tatues, monoIiths. and picture writings
ave been preserved The entire inner
alls Of large room of the museum are
overed with specimens of what was evil
emily the highest art of preservation
nown to the Aztecs. They consist OF
eautiful pictures on fine canvas woven
ON the magucy plant. and the ccl0rs
aem as fresh today as if painted within
nc present generation. These pictures
I'll the story Of Indian progress. of meth
Is of war, OF worship. of sacrifices and
everything pertaining to their advance
tent.
Among the most curious OF the relies is
I old map of the Aztec capital. Teno chit
N. on the ruins Of which this city was
unded. that shows the main causeTdys
the present city, which have not been
sturbed. ana exhibits a very high degree
art. The one room devoted to the STAT
rs and monoliths Of TIE Aztecs is study
intense interest. There is the .acrit-
al stone of the Aztec Temple, OF sucn
age proportions that il escaped destruc- ,
on. mainly because It's destruction was
Ext to impossible.
This stone. with the other relics per-
lining to it. gives the bloody side Of {
ztec civilization. 1t is in circular form, /
bout ten feet in diameter and between
ur and five feet in depth, and its rim , ,
illustrated with figures, showing the 7
ztec chiefs dragging their victims to
crifice. In the centre is a basin to re-
i've the blood of the victims, with a a
lannel carrying it to the edge of the I
enc. Close by II is u large stone basin.
to which the hearts of those sacr fl ed
ere thrown, and there are number of
ANY stone yOkes by which the head Of [
e captive was held securely. On this |
one scores of thousands OF lives have [