N A T I N A L M U S E U M . Q]^ 
At the western end of this room are several models of Mines, chiefly- 
made of the different stones found in the mineral regions of Mexico. The 
figures are of silver ; and the various parts of the mine, the mode of ob- 
taining the ore, of freeing them from water, of sinking shafts, the dresses, 
appearance and labors of the workmen, are most faithfully portrayed. 
In one of the corners, behind a quantity of rubbish, old desks and 
benches, is the Armor of Cort^z — a plain unornamented suit of steel, from 
the size of which, I judge that the Conqueror was not a man of large 
frame or great bodily strength. Among the portraits of the Viceroys 
contained in this apartment, there is one of Cortez ; and in it he is depicted 
in a different manner from that in which we have been accustomed to 
know him since our boyhood, when we first made his acquaintance in 
school histories, drawn as a savage-looking hero with slouched hat and 
feather and fur-caped coat. There is no doubt, I am told, of the genu- 
ineness of the picture in this Museum; and its history is traced with 
certainty to the period of the third Viceroy, when the gallery of portraits 
was commenced. It represents him in armor, highly polished, and in- 
laid with gold. One hand rests upon his plumed helmet and the other 
on a truncheon. The figure is slender and graceful. I should say, from 
the expression of the head alone, that the portrait was accurate. His 
eyes are raised to heaven — his gray hair curls around a rather narrow 
and not very lofty brow, and the lower part of his face is covered with 
a grizzly beard and mustache, through which appears a mouth marked 
with firmness and dignity. There is a look of the world, and of heaven ; 
of veneration and authority. It is, in fact, a characteristic picture of the 
bigoted soldier, who slew thousands in the acquisition of gold, empire, 
and a new altar for the Holy Cross. Never was the biography of a hero 
and enthusiast, more fully written in history, than has been done by the 
unknown painter of this portrait on the canvas which embellished the 
walls of the Colonial Palace of Mexico. 
In the same room with this picture, hangs the banner under which he 
conquered. It is in a large gold frame, covered with glass; and, as well 
as I could distinguish in the bad light in which it is placed, represents 
the Virgin Mary, painted on crimson silk, surrounded with stars and an 
inscription. 
Just below this is an old Indian painting, made shortly after the con- 
quest, of which the following engraving is a fac-simile. I copied it very 
carefully, as an authentic record of some of the cruelties practiced by the 
Spaniards in subduing the chiefs of the country, and striking terror to the 
minds of the artless Indians. 
