252 THREE YEARS IN THE PACIFIC. 



On the side of the pilaster next its entrance, is a tin box 

 with a slit in the top, the meaning of which cannot be mis- 

 taken, even though an inscription beneath it did not state, 

 " Here is received the alms for Nuestra Senora de la Cande- 

 Idria, who is worshipped in this chapel of the Holy Martyrs, 

 Sr. Crispin and Crispiniano." 



At the sides of the choir are four quite small chapels, very 

 richly furnished. One, which is dedicated to San Pedro, was 

 richly endowed, and received many indulgencies from the 

 Apostolic See. A chaplain is maintained at five hundred dol- 

 lars yearly, to say annually one hundred and fifty masses, and 

 to extract a soul from Purgatory every Monday and Friday 

 throughout the year !* 



The sacristy of the cathedral is ornamented on one side with 

 cedar panels carved in relief, representing our Saviour and 

 the twelve apostles. Above them are paintings of the seasons, 

 and on the opposite wall hang portraits of the archbishops and 

 distinguished officers of the church. This apartment is fur- 

 nished with presses and wash stands. A plentiful supply of 

 brocades, lamas of gold and silver, cambrics, laces, and altar 

 paraphernalia, are contained in the wardrobes and drawers sur- 

 rounding the walls. 



From the sacristy a door opens into a large room, in which 

 all the temporal affairs of the church are transacted ; it is the 

 chapter. 



The sagrdrio is a small parochial church, communicating 

 with the cathedral, under the administration of the parish in 

 which the cathedral is. It contains several chapels. The Altar 

 Mayor is a splendid structure of statuary and painting, so nicely 

 blended, that at a short distance, a coup d^oeil cannot distin- 

 guish them. A long form or bench stands on each side of this 

 church, and behind, a row of confessionals or boxes, in which 

 the priests sit and listen to the chronicles of sin. A tin plate 

 perforated with holes is placed in the side, in a convenient po- 

 sition for the ear of the Father, and below is a step on which 

 the person confessing kneels while he whispers the history of 



* Fama Postuma del Senor Reguera. 



