SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



101 



equally and pleasantly diffused, — scarcely a 

 shadow is perceptible. 



The church and monastery of St. Dominick, 

 — like that of St. Augustine, is large and 

 plain in the exterior, except the dome of the 

 segrario, which is covered with painted and 

 gilt tiles. The interior is very spacious ; the 

 high altar (which is placed on a flight of 

 steps), with its rich ornaments, is entirely of 

 silver, and near the rails are two dogs, of the 

 same metal, the size of life, on pedestals of 

 silver and gold, The sacristy, on the left 

 side of the church, is one mass of carving, 

 painting, and gilding, in the richest style 

 of some of our ancient buildings. The 

 tabernacle, in the centre, is 30 feet high, the 

 materials of which are gold, silver, and marble, 

 the balustrades or rails are entirely of silver, 

 and the walls of the cloisters are covered 

 with pictures of the miracles of the patron 

 Saint. 



