TO SAN ANTONIO. 
43 
the church, and the Virgin and Child are conspicuous. 
The material of this work has the appearance of stone ; 
but we found on examination that it was a hard kind 
of stucco. The action of the weather has done much 
to destroy the figures ; and the work of ruin, has been 
assisted by the numerous military companies near here, 
who, finding in the hands and features of the statues 
convenient marks for rifle and pistol shots, did not fail 
to improve the opportunity for showing at the same 
time their skill in arms and their contempt for the 
Mexican belief. That portion of the front of the church 
not covered with carving, was ornamented with a sort 
of stencilling in colors, chiefly red and blue. But few 
traces of this have withstood the rain. The most per- 
fect portion of the church is an oval window in the 
sacristy, which is surrounded with scrolls and wreath- 
work of exceeding grace and beauty. 
The interior presents but little of interest. The 
dampness has destroyed the frescoes upon the walls, 
and the altar has been stripped of its decorations. It 
is now seldom used for religious purposes ; as the Mexi- 
cans of the neighborhood are poor, and cannot often 
afford the fifty dollars charged by the San Antonio 
priests for officiating. 
The convent in the rear of the church, as that por- 
tion of the building occupied by the fathers is called, 
remains in tolerable preservation, and is at present 
inhabited by an American who cultivates the adjoining 
lands. A fine view of the surrounding country may 
be had by ascending the tower, which is accomplished 
in part by means of a spiral staircase, and in part by 
a rude ladder, consisting of a stick of timber with 
