government, and was afterwards proclaimed in the Roman Consistory last December, with the approbation of Gregory the sixteenth. They are now only waiting for the pontifical bulls, which are daily expected from Rome; and it is said that the ceremony, which will take place in the Cathedral, will be very magnificent.
April 3d.—Accompanied by the Minister, we spent yesterday in visiting the Mineria, the Botanic Garden, the Museum, &c., all which leave a certain disagreeable impression on the mind, since, without having the dignity of ruins, they are fine buildings neglected. The Mineria, or School of Mines, the work of the famous architect and sculptor Tolsa, is a magnificent building, a palace whose fine proportions would render it remarkable amongst the finest edifices of any European country. All is on a great scale, its noble rows of pillars, great staircases, large apartments and lofty roofs, but it reminds one of a golden aviary, containing a few common sparrows. Several rich Spaniards contributed more than six hundred thousand dollars to its construction. We were shown through the whole of this admirable building by the director, who occupies a very handsome house attached to it. But however learned the professors may be, and amongst them is the scientific Señor del Rio, now very old, but a man of great learning and research; the collections of minerals, the instruments and models, are all miserable and ill kept.
The Botanic Garden, within the Palace, is a small ill-kept enclosure, where there still remain some rare
