PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 267 
of Mexican liberty. The chairs of the members are ranged in two rows, 
rising one above the other against the walls of the semicircle, without 
desks ; and above these, again, are lodges, or boxes supported by pil- 
lars, for the audience. A well executed picture of the Victory of Tam- 
pico, occupies a panel over the door in front of the throne ; and on the 
table of the secretaries is placed the omnipresent crucifix. 
The buildings of the Mint form the back of the palace square, and 
are filled with the old and cumbrous machinery of the last century. I 
saw none of the modern improvements which have been inti'oduced both 
in Europe and in this country ; but I cannot pass over this institution 
without doing justice to the artistical skill of the artist, who is at pres- 
ent engaged in making new dies for the future coinage of the Republic. 
The taste and talent of this young gentleman were discovered by some 
of the chiefs of Government, and he was immediately dispatched to Rome, 
whence, after a few years study, he has returned to honor his native 
Capital with the works of his graver. 
I will say nothing of the old edifice of the Inquisition, with its vaulted 
rooms, its inner chambers, and its monastic gloom ; or of the neighboring 
church of the Dominicans, in the court-yard of which you are still shown 
the hollow among the stones, wherein the stake was erected that sustained 
the victims of their former auto's. There is no longer an Inquisition, or 
a faggot. 
Near this is the Aditana — or Custom House — which, like the Dipu- 
tacion, is a stately and commodious edifice. There are fourteen parish 
churches, six private churches, thirteen convents and seminaries for men, 
and twenty-two for women; six colleges, one university, and five hos- 
pitals and poor-houses. , 
MONTE PIO. 
The Monte Pig — a species of national pawnbroker establishment — is 
in the great Square, occupying the building known as the Palace of 
Cortez, said to be erected on the ruins of the ancient Palace of Monte- 
zuma. This is one of the most beneficent institutions in the world, and 
was founded in 1775, by the Conde de Regla, who endowed it with about 
^300, 000. Since that period it has been administered faithfully by the 
Government, and affords succor daily to more than two hundred persons. 
It is ruled by a general Board of Directors, and receives pledges of 
clothes, jewels, plate, and every species of valuables. These articles are 
appraised at a fair valuation, the amount of which (deducting the interest) 
is paid to the pawner; — ^they are then retained for six months, during 
which period the owner is at liberty to withdraw them upon repayment 
of the sum advanced. If the debt is not refunded at the end of that time, 
the pledges are disposed of at public sale ; and if they bring more under 
