Page:Life in Mexico vol 2.djvu/128

108 bishops are buried; the vault where a martyr lies, supposed to have been miraculously preserved for centuries, the gift of a Pope to a Bishop of Puebla. The figure appears to be of wax, enclosing the skeleton of the martyr, and has the most angelic countenance I ever beheld. It is loaded with false emeralds and diamonds.

We were also shown the jewels which they keep buried, in case of a revolution. The Custodia, the gold stand in which they carry the Host, is entirely encrusted with large diamonds, pearls, emeralds, amethysts, topazes and rubies. The chalices are equally rich. There are four sets of jewels for the Bishop. One of his crosses is of emeralds and diamonds; another of topazes and diamonds, with great rings of the same, belonging to each.

In the evening we went with theM family, who have been very civil to us, to the theatre, where we saw a comedy better acted and more amusing than the tragedy which they murdered two nights before. We went early the next morning to the Bishop's palace, to see his fine library and collection of paintings, where there were a few modern originals and many fine copies of the old masters. We then went with the Señora Ho to return the visits of the ladies who had called on us. The young ladies invariably complain that they have neither music nor drawing nor dancing-masters. There is evidently a great deal of musical taste amongst them, and as in every part of Mexico, town or country, there is a piano (tal cual) in every house; but most of those who play are self-taught, and naturally