CATHEDRAL. 



7 



the capital is the cathedral, with the excep- 

 tion of which, the style of building is decid- 

 edly of Moorish origin and structure, which 

 was introduced whilst Spain was subservient 

 for so long a time to the Moors, and imbibed 

 a taste for this kind of architecture, which 

 is particularly adapted for a country subject 

 to earthquake, where elegance must be sacri- 

 ficed to solidity. 



The cathedral, which is of the Corinthian 

 order, was built in 1814, from the design of 

 a native Colombian, who was put to death 

 during the war of emancipation, notwith- 

 standing his entreaties to be allowed to com- 

 plete the work he had commenced. The 

 exterior is not in good taste, or good keep- 

 ing, the fai^ade being without symmetry or 

 elegance ; but the interior is very fine and 

 even tasteful, the decorations being of white 

 and gold, with handsome cornices, and su- 

 perb altars around, dedicated to the patron 



4 



