THE CATHEDRAL: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO 



This splendid structure is one of the most imposing ecclesiastical edifices in the western 

 world. Situated on the north side of the Plaza of the Constitution, on the east side of 

 which stands the "White House" of Mexico, it occupies a position commensurate with its 

 architectural and religious dignity. It is said that devout Mexicans contributed $1,850,000 

 to its interior decoration. 



octagonal, is wider still, being 38 feet 

 across, while the Cata, 20 feet wide, 

 reached down to the silver shoots 1,000 

 feet below. 



In those days, when the tithes paid the 

 King of Spain ran Into millions of pesos, 

 the Yeta Aladre was honeycombed with 

 mine workings, bonanzas were exhausted, 

 while others were being sought ; each 

 mine was surrounded by high solid ma- 

 sonry walls, and entrance to the patio was 

 through guarded gates. Alining opera- 

 tions were conducted on a large scale, 



but, while labor was cheap, costs were 

 heavy, appliances crude, water was an 

 unsurmountable obstacle, methods of 

 treating ore most primitive, and geolog- 

 ical knowledge almost a negligible quan- 

 tity. The output began to fall off in 1810. 

 and during revolutionary times work was 

 practically suspended. Nearly a hundred 

 years elapsed before interest was revived 

 in the Guanajuato mines. Recent chem- 

 ical, mechanical, and geological re- 

 searches may give the Guanajuato dis- 

 trict another Ion? lease of life. 



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