Durango semi-weekly herald., 1906-03-29

ayacatl. II IL said the latter killed
himself by overexertion In killing
prisoners. His present exposure
may atone for some OF his cruelties.
There are four glorietas, circles,
each 800 feet in diameter. The first
is occupied by monument Of Column
bus. This monument was unveiled
in 1877 and was a gift to the city
from Senor Don Antonio Escandon.
It Is In three parts-flrst the base in
basalt. octagonal In form; second, the
square pedestal of Russian jasper,
bearing four basso-relievos, and four
life-sized figures; third, the statue OF
the discoverer with one hand drawing
the veil from the Western world, and
the other pointing heavenward. In
the second glorieta stands the me
mortal of Cuauhtemoctzin, hero Of the
last days OF the Aztec empire, 1t Is
regarded by many as the finest work
in Mexico. On a platform having
four stairways, each guarded by
leopards In bronze, stands basaltic
pedestal in three parts. The first OF
these bears two reliefs and two in
scriptions. The reliefs represent
one the captive prince before Cortez.
the other the torture of Cuauhte-
moctzin and Tetlepanuetzal. from
whom Cortez expected to learn where
the royal treasures were hidden. On
| the second part of the pedestal are
the names of four heroes and repre-
sentation of Aztec arms and shields
| The third section, beautifully orDa-
mented with ancient symbols, is sur-
mounted by a bronze statue of
| Cuauhtemoctzin, who was every inch
a king and VINO could and would no
doubt have annihilated Cortez had
| Montezuma allowed him to arouse the
people against the invaders. The fig
ure represents the chief advancing
and about to cast the spear raised In
his right hand; on his feet are san
dals: over his shoulders the royal
robe and on his head the feathered
crown. The memorial Is almost rev
erenced by the Indians who. on the
every 21st of August, the anniversary
OF his torture. hold festival in the
1
bronze statue of Ilidalgo and In the
fourth statue OF Juarez Is being
erected The Paseo between four and
six O'Clock of any day Of the year,
but particularly on Sunday. is an
other sight which is worth going a
long ways to see. The avenue. Is
lined with carriages going and coming
| ali
from. There are thousands and thou
sands of them. Here may be seen a
larger number of fine horses and car
riages and, in general, more wealth
displayed than in any city In the
country outside OF Central park, New
York. on a Sunday afternoon. The
Paseo is Vanity Fair on Wheels.
For two hours we enjoyed the drive
along this boulevard and Chepulte-
pee park. the latter rivalng Central
park for beauty and arrangement ow-
ing to the tropical trees and lixur-
ious growth. but this will have to be
left to another letter. G. N. r.
City of Mexico, March 8.
Chapultepec, II is the glory of the
capital of Mexico. 1t is easily reach
ed by the famous paseo drive or by
street car. The park surrounding
the castle is open from 5 n. III. to p.
m Chapultepec (the Hin Of the
Grasshopper is a bold projection of
porphyry. rising about 200 feet above
the valley. II is said to have once
been an island in Lake Texcoco, but
| it is fully four miles to the present
shore. The Aztecs, who gave 1t the
| name which it now bears. occupied
1t in 1870, We're driven from it by a
neighboring tribe, hut later regained
1t and built temple on its summit
Some of the princcsses had their ct,
figies carved on the rocks. A part
of one can still be seen on the east
| ern base of the hill On the south
side is large spring which is the
water supply for portion of the city.
| On the north side, near the driveway
10 the castle is a large cave which
was the sanctuary of Malintzin, the
spirit of the murmuring spring The
| cave is said to he connected with the
castle by passage. The driveway
winds around the western end of the
hill and terminates on the south side
at the entrance to the castle grounds
| Here is located the West Point of
Mexico. the national military school
the pride of young Mexico. The ca
diets appear to come from the best
class and are of a bright, energetic
turn. AT the foot of the hill is a
beautiful memorial TO the cadets who
fell in battle at the storming of Cha,
pultepec. Naturally one has great
desire TO visit the. inside OF the cas-.
tie. but when occupied by the presi
dent no one is permitted to enter and
Tor over year the American con.
sulate has not been able to obtain
passes, although previous to this
passes were obtainable during the
months the president occupied his
downtown palace near the National
place, or government building. In
making the circle OF the hill we en-.
countered the beautiful automobile of
the president which was in waiting
for the distinguished ruler. The
presidents auto is the finest we have