laid out at right angles to each other, and are well paved. The houses are mostly of two stories. There are several public squares and a fine park. The city covers a large area. It lies in a broad and fertile plain, surrounded by lofty sierras. The climate is delightful, the thermometer rarely falling as low as the freezing-point.
Places of Interest.—1. The Cathedral. 2. The Mint. 3. The City-Hall. 4. The Church of El Carmen. 5. The Church of San Francisco. 6. The Church of San Agustin. 6. The Church of La Merced. 8. The Church of Guadalupe. 9. The Chapels of Fl Rosario and Los Remedios. 10. The Alameda. 11. The Plaza mayor.
The cathedral contains a beautiful clock that strikes the hours. It is in the façade between the towers, and was sent as a present to the city from a King of Spain. The tourist should ascend one of the towers for a view of the environs. The entrance is on the plaza, just north of the principal door of the cathedral. There is a large monument erected in honor of the patriot Hidalgo in the center of the plaza.
A horse-car track has just been laid in the streets, and the electric light and telephones are already in use. An American capitalist has recently purchased a lot on the Alameda, with the intention of building a first-class hotel.
The citizens of San Luis are noted for their hospitality. Balls are given in the winter season, to which strangers may be invited through some merchant or banker. There is a large garrison here, and the military band plays in the Plaza mayor three times a week.
This city will soon become a great railway center.
The eastern division of the Mexican Central Railroad is being pushed forward from Tampico as rapidly as possible. At present 3,600 men are employed on this section of the line. It is expected that the road will reach San Luis Potosi on July 1, 1885. It will be carried westward toward the main line, making a junction probably at Aguascalientes. (For description of this railway, see Section V.)
