222 CATHEDRAL TOWNS MINES QUARRIES. 



of a fruitful plain bounded by the mountains, and shut in at the west 

 by the gigantic peaks of Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl. Broad, 

 clean and well paved streets cross it at suitable distances. The 

 houses are large, convenient and neat, and numerous churches for- 

 ever send forth the music of their bells. A beautiful public walk, 

 planted with rows of trees, runs along a small stream on the out- 

 skirts of the city; and an Alameda, of exceeding beauty, lies oppo- 

 site the extensive pile of San Francisco on the west. In the centre 

 of the town is a large well paved public square, surrounded by por- 

 tables or arches, similar to those of Bologna, in Italy, while in its 

 centre is the massive cathedral whose wealth is renowned among 

 the Roman Catholic churches of America. A splendid and weighty 

 chandelier, composed of gold and silver, weighing altogether seve- 

 ral tons, depends from the dome, whilst the figures of saints, the 

 tops of altars, and the recesses of chapels, gleam, on State occasions 

 with a display of precious metals and jewels which is perhaps une- 

 qualled even by the cathedral of Mexico or the sanctuary of Guada- 

 lupe. There are other establishments in Puebla belonging to the 

 Franciscan and Augustin monks, and several churches, which are 

 celebrated for their elegance, comfort and wealth. The Palace of 

 the Bishop, in the vicinity of the cathedral, is a massive edifice, 

 containing a library of many thousand volumes in a saloon 200 feet » 

 long by 40 broad. 



The other towns of this State are: — Cholula, adjacent to the 

 remains of the Pyramid of Cholula, which will be subsequently no- 

 ticed ; — Atlixco ; Guauchinango, in the northern valley of the 

 State, where the Indians still indulge in their ancient sport of the 

 Juego del Volador or flying game; — Tehuacan de las Grana- 

 das, containing near 6,000 inhabitants ; Tepeaca or Tepeyacac, 

 where Cortez laid the foundations of a city which he called " Scgu- 

 ra de la Frontera;" — Huajocingo or Huexotzingo ; Chiautla, 

 Tlapan, Tlacotepec, Amozoque, San Martin, Nopaluca, Acajete, 

 Ojo de Agua. 



In the eighteenth century various mines of gold and silver were 

 wrought in the old Intendencia de Puebla, at Yxtacmaztillan, Te- 

 mistla, and Alatlanquitepec in the district of San Juan de los Llanos, 

 as well as at Tetela de Xonotla and at Zacatlan ; but none of these 

 are at present productive. Quarries of fine marble exist at Totame- 

 huacan and Tecali, two and seven leagues distant from the capital. 

 Limestone is found in quantities, and a beautiful transparent ala- 

 baster is also procured, which is used for windows in the library, 

 museum and churches. If the transportation of these weighty arti- 



