68 MEXICO. 
issues a circle of golden rays, while above it, as if floating in the air, 
hangs the figure of a dove, of solid silver, as large as an eagle ! 
Descending from the altar, you lean on a rail of gilded silver. The 
massive candlesticks, and all the stands and reading-desks are of sil- 
ver, as is also a score of figures, some three feet high, for lamps and 
torches. 
From the front of the altar to the body of the church, in which are placed 
the choir and organ, there is another silver hand-rail and balustrade on 
both sides of the central aisle. The choir is of a dark rich wood, covered 
with the most exquisite carvings, in high relief, of passages in the life of 
our Saviour, and its gates are beautifully inlaid with silver. The seats 
of the clergymen rise above each other in a double row, and in the centre 
stands a massive reading-desk, most gorgeously wrought of the precious 
metal. 
To the left of the altar, a chapel, containing a collection of sacred relics, 
branches off from the main edifice. The whole eastern end of this is a 
blaze of crystal and gilded carvings, piled 'up to the lofty arched roofj 
while on the steps are two tall India jars, that would make in Europe the 
fortune of a china hunter. 
As I left the door of this apartment, I noticed a recently painted pic- 
ture, or rather frame of pictures. It represented a series of miracles 
wrought by the Virgin M'ithin the last ten years. First, a husband had 
stabbed his wife, and yet, by a prayer to the Saint, she was healed : 
Second, a child, who had fallen from a window, was miraculously pre- 
served by her intervention: Third, a woman, passing through a wood, 
encountered a robber, who attempted to force her ; yet, an opportune 
ejaculation to Guadalupe winged her feet, and she escaped: Fourth, 
a man was thrown from his horse, and saved : Fifth, a carriage passed 
over another harmlessly : And Sixth, the Virgin saved a woman from 
being gored by a bull. 
As I passed around the church, I saw a variety of similar mementoes 
hung upon the walls — little pictures of sick women — of others praying- 
silver arms and legs, and even little waxen ones. In one place I noticed 
two braids of hair ; the vow, doubtless of some poor Indian, and perhaps 
her most precious gift. I was told in Mexico, by a person who has seen 
it, that the native Indians at times come to this shrine, and play before 
the Virgin's image on their drums and flageolets. 
As I passed through the door, I encountered a lepero-looking fellow, 
who, on one side, offered me a ticket in the " Lottery of the Virgin," while 
on the other, a servitor of the church held out a stock of red ribbons 
" with the measure of the Virgin's hands," and metal medals of Guada- 
lupe. The latter I thought a better investment than the lottery ; and 
buying one, which I dipped in the blessed well, I keep it as a memento 
of the visit and the spot. 
For the curious in such matters, I give the original of a Sonnet and 
Verses — and the promise of Indulgences, in honor of the Virgin : 
