SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 87 



Much, too, in the minute account of a 

 Catholic church, would not be generally un- 

 derstood in a Protestant country: I shall 

 content myself, therefore, with giving a 

 sketch of a few of the most remarkable 

 edifices which the short time I staid in the 

 city allowed me to visit. 



The Cathedra], which forms one side of the 

 great square, is a large pile of building, with 

 little architectural ornament in its exterior, 

 but its interior furniture, if I may so call it, 

 is rich beyond description. So much is it 

 overpowered with ornament, that the fine 

 effect of it as a whole is considerably di- 

 minished. The centre of the body, for ex- 

 ample, is so overloaded as to obstruct the 

 view of its length. 



Towards the south is placed the high altar, 

 a most superb temple, of exquisite workman- 

 ship, and in elegant taste, lately finished by 

 an Italian artist, from Roman designs, but 



