THE BISHOP'S PALACE. 



401 



afterward conducted us through three stately saloons 

 with high ceilings and lighted with lamps, in one of 

 which was a chair of state covered with red damask, 

 which was carried up on the wall behind and ceiling 

 over it. From the last a door opened into a large room 

 elegantly fitted up as a sleeping apartment, in one cor- 

 ner of which was a large silver wash-hand basin with 

 a silver pitcher ; and in the centre, not a moveable 

 or not very easily moved, sat the bishop, a man sev- 

 eral feet round, handsomely dressed, and in a chair 

 made to fit, stuffed and covered with red morocco, 

 neither pinching him nor permitting him to roll, with 

 a large, firmly-secured projecting ear-piece on each 

 side to catch his head during the siesta. It had arms 

 broad enough to support books and papers, and seem- 

 ed the work of a man of genius. The lines of the 

 bishop's face, however, indicated a man of high tone 

 and character, and his conversation sustained the im- 

 pression. He was a Centralist, and a great politician ; 

 and spoke of letters from generals, sieges, blockades, 

 and battles, in tones which brought up a vivid picture 

 of some priestly warrior or grand master of the Temple. 

 In conclusion, he said that his influence, his house, and 

 his table were at our service, asked us to name a day 

 for dining with him, and said he would invite some 

 friends to meet us. We had many trials in our jour' 

 ney, and it was not the least to decline this invitation ; 

 but we had some hope that we might be able to share 

 his hospitality on our return from Uxmal. 



From the bishop's palace we went to the theatre, a 

 large building built expressly for the purpose, with two 

 rows of boxes and a pit. The upper tier of boxes was 

 private. The prima donna was a lady who sat next 

 me at dinner at the hotel ; but I had better employment 



Vol. II.— 3 E 



