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132 the abject poverty and wretchedness of multitudes of the population, and, indeed, of no inconsiderable portion of the church congregations. It is surprising that sacrilegious robberies are not more frequent than they are among such a people; but even the vilest, who would not scruple to commit any other conceivable crime, yet hesitate to despoil the church. Great precautions, also, are taken to prevent it; the risk of discovery would be imminent, and the punishment certain and condign. Some depredations the cathedrals have suffered, however, both during the American war, and from native revolutionary governments; but it is vain to look for any evidences of scantiness or poverty in them at the present time.

In the great cathedral of the city of Mexico, only a portion of the valuables are exhibited to the public eye; the most costly, as is believed, being deposited in secret places, and securely guarded. Still, there are carvings, balustrades, and ornaments; with hundreds (one might almost say thousands) of candlesticks, cups, and other vessels, all of gold and silver: indeed, the splendour of the whole show is most dazzling. The high altar near the centre