NOTICES OF PERU. 247 



CHAPTER VIII. 



The Cathedral— The Sagririo— Oracidn— The Bdveda— Death of Pizarro — 



His interment. 



Without any claims to the character t)f a very pious man, 

 I was led into the cathedral on the first morning after my ar- 

 rival. The magnificence and splendor of the interior — the 

 interest shed over it by being founded by the conqueror, Pi- 

 zarro, and its now being the resting place of his bones, caused 

 me to repeat my visits again and again. How little did the 

 Marqu6s think, when he placed the corner stone of this edi- 

 fice, that it was the foundation of his own mausoleum ! 



In order to have an opportunity of examining the building 

 at leisure, and in intervals when no ceremonies were perform- 

 ing, I made acquaintance with the sexton, who is a tall, ema- 

 ciated old man, with sharp features, and a pair of cunning 

 black eyes. He had been in the service of the church, man 

 and boy, for forty years. I found him always obliging, and full 

 of stories of by-gone days. From habit, he spoke in a subdued 

 tone ; and during service, was seen moving about with noise- 

 less step, discharging the various duties of his office. A few 



reales" softened his solemn visage into a pleasant smile, and 

 made him always punctual in his appointments. 



The cathedral is divided into three naves. A long row of 

 chapels, closed by large doors of turned wooden bars, between 

 which the whole interior may be seen, occupy one side of each 

 of the lateral aisles. They are paved with large earthen tiles, 

 laid down in diamond form, and are perfectly clear, extending 

 from the front to the rear of the building, exceeding three 

 hundred feet ; the ceiling being very lofty, and ornamented 

 with architraves, arches, and mouldings, makes the great length 

 appear greater than it is. The centre nave is broader than the 

 others, but not so long ; its floor is raised three steps. At one 



