CITY OF MEXICO AND SUBURBS. 21 



garden, which is a favorite resting-place for all, strangers and citizens alike. The 

 grandest avenue of Mexico, the Paseo Grande, runs straight away towards Chapul- 

 tepec, an avenue ornamented with trees and statuary, and dividing the great tract 

 of land purchased by the Mexico Hotel and Land Company, in the centre of 

 which they purpose erecting a most magnificent hotel for American tourists and 

 residents. Even at this late day, with direct rail communication with the North, 

 Mexico has no hotel adequate to the demands already made by visiting Americans. 

 The Paseo de Bucarelli diverges from nearly the same point as the great avenue, 

 and has some objects worthy of attention. 



Of streets in general, that leading to Tacuba is bristling with historic objects; 

 and the paseo of La Vega, running along the canal of the same name, is a favorite 

 promenade, and a fine place in which to study the costumes and peculiarities of the 

 Aztec boatman coming in to early market from the floating gardens. 



CHURCHES, MUSEUMS, LIBRARIES, ETC. 



Above the site of the ancient Aztec teocalli stands the great and world-famous 

 cathedral, begun in 1573, and completed in 1657. Grand and imposing as is its 

 exterior, its interior is magnificent, resplendent with gilding, rich in altar-rails, 

 pictures, chapels, balustrades of fine metal, statues, and carvings. Entrance can 

 be obtained at any time to the body of the cathedral, and to the great towers 

 (200 feet high), and to the inner sanctuary, where the treasures are kept, by the 

 payment of a small fee. 



Of other religious edifices, the Church of San Domingo, San Hypolito, and a 

 dozen more, will well repay examination. The leading Protestant church is the 

 Methodist, on Calle Gante : the finest is the Church of Jesus, Calle San Fran- 

 cisco. The celebrated Calendar Stone is to be seen cemented into the western wall 

 of the cathedral. 



The great museum, in the Palace collection of buildings, should demand a large 

 portion of the visitor's time, as it contains famous relics of the past, such as the 

 Sacrificial Stone, statues of the Aztec god of war and numerous others, vast collec- 

 tions of pottery, portraits of famous Mexicans and viceroys, and a multitude of 

 objects unique and interesting. Near this museum is the Academy of San Carlos, 

 with its valuable collection of paintings and statuary. Entrance can be obtained 

 to either upon application at the gates, and on certain days both are open to the 

 public. The finest library in Mexico is the Biblioteca Nacional, in a magnificent 

 structure, the renovated Convent of San Augustin : it contains over 100,000 vol- 

 umes. The College of Mines, an immense building, is on the street of San Andres. 



The mint, from which has issued forth so many millions of Mexican silver, can 

 be inspected as desired; and the National Palace, containing the Senate Chambers, 

 the Meteorological Observatory, and many relics of Mexico's past, is courteously 

 opened to visitors, upon proper representation. 



The Post-Ofiice is in the Calle de Moneda; the Palace of Congress, in Calle del 

 Factor; the Palace of Justice, in Cordobanes. 



SUBURBAN VILLAGES, ETC. 



The entire Mexican valley bristles with objects of antiquity, churches, or villages, 

 connected with its fascinating history. 



