Observe now the very beautiful hangings of this apartment. They are of thick, lustrous silk, and their rich shades of crimson and gold form an excellent background for these superb paintings and marbles. It is to be regretted that limited time and space will not admit of a more detailed description of the many works of art in this collection. As it is, we must content ourselves with glances here and there. We think it advisable to notice this large painting, which vividly illustrates another feature of the sacrificial observance. It represents the interior of a richly ornate temple, and on a raised space stands a number of Priests and Priestesses, clothed in long, flowing, crimson and yellow garments. With the exception of three Priests, who are brown haired, blue eyed, and fair skinned, all are very dark hued. The hair of the younger, dark complexioned Priests is very black, and worn quite to their shoulders, and that of the aged ones is as white as wool, and worn in the same fashion. Around the heads of all are narrow fillets of gold, binding back their flowing locks. On these fillets, directly over the forehead, are golden suns, the points of the rays tipped with yellow jewels--topazes, I should say--and the centre of each sun is what appears to be a fine ruby, encircled by topazes. The Priestesses are young, dark skinned, and dark eyed, and their long black hair falls loosely toward their feet, which are concealed by their crimson and yellow robes. Around their heads are fillets, corresponding with those worn by the Priests. In the foreground are a number of youths and maidens, and back of them a throng of men and women, all with anxious, terror stricken faces. Well may the eyes and faces of the assemblage be full of fear, for some one's child will be selected as a sacrifice to their Gods, whose dwelling place is beyond the clouds which veil the portals of Astranol[a:], lest impious, inquiring eyes gazing upward, may behold what mortals may not see, and live. This painting depicts a scene once of frequent occurrence, but during four centuries past the horrible cruelty has not been practiced. We now will pass into the adjoining apartment. This appears to be a sort of lounging room, in which form and color combined have produced some fine effects. Over the lofty corniced windows and doorways, velvet-like, crimson drapery falls in graceful folds. Luxurious divans line the cream tinted walls, over which sprays of lovely, dainty blossoms are scattered. The floor is a mosaic of exquisite effects. The field, a rich cream color, the designs, graceful, lifelike flower pieces, united by trailing vines. A deep border of aquatic plants, grasses and vining lily blooms, forms a fitting frame to the lovely floor picture, over which very beautiful rugs are disposed.