Seven Mexican Cities; By John S. Kendall (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1906 Excerpt: ...as any in New York, but the gross lack of harmony between their architecture and the environment and the crass indifference to the historical associations with which the Valley of Mexico teems are amazing. The "khan" type of dwelling is so perfectly fitted to life in a warm country that it is a source of astonishment to me that New Orleans has not patterned after the older sections of Mexico, and made that style a favorite with the builders of expensive homes. On the other hand, here is Mexico, breaking away from its ideals, and embarking in the unworthy business of imitating the imitations which have so long marred the loveliness of American cities, even in those sections of the United States where the temperature approximates most nearly that.of the Valley of Mexico. The City of Mexico has nothing more beautiful to show a visitor than its churches, of which over 300 still remain. For generations the entire intellectual and artistic life of the country centered in its religious establishments. The educational system was practically under the control of the church, the influence of which exerted a profound effect upon all the literature produced prior to the year 1859, when Jaurez suppressed the Catholic orders. This was true to such a degree than when the National Libr-ry was established in the old Churqh of San Augustin, there was little or nothing to put in it except the books rifled from convents and monasteries. In spite of the numerous modern works which have been acquired since, the bulk of the collection there to-day is composed of theological works and volumes of ecclesiastical history. The same was true of painting and sculpture, the artists finding their most munificent, if not their only patrons, among the fathers of the religious...