SIX MONTHS IX MEXICO. 



89 



several which appear to be of the first-rate 

 quality of art, but all approach to them is so 

 guarded by railings, and so little light is ad- 

 mitted, that they are lost in the obscurity* It 

 was Holy-week, and in the evening I accom- 

 panied Mr. Furlong with his lady to the 

 service of tensebrae, and never witnessed such 

 a splendid scene: — it certainly surpassed in 

 magnificence all I could conceive of the pomp 

 of Courts. The whole cathedral, with all its 

 costly appendages, and fretted golden roof, 

 were displayed and illuminated by thousands 

 of wax-lights, reflected from gold and silver 

 chandeliers of the finest workmanship; an 

 altar covered with massive plate, as fresh as 

 from the hands of the artizan; a host of 

 officiating clergy, arrayed in the richest vest- 

 ments ; the waving of banners ; the solemn 

 music, and a powerful and well conducted 

 band ! that heart must have been cold indeed 

 which could have remained inanimate amid 



