AD. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1572- 



of Spaine : for these were the occasion that Mexico was 

 woonne in so short time, and with so little losse of 

 [III. 463.] men. Wherefore they are all gentlemen, and pay no 

 tribute to the king. In this towne is all the cochinilla 

 growing. 



Mexico. Mexico is a great city; it hath more then fifty 



thousand households, whereof there are not past five or 

 sixe thousand houses of Spanyards : all the other are the 

 people of the countrey, which live under the Spanyards 

 lawes. There are in this city stately buildings, and 

 many monasteries of friers and nunnes, which the Span- 

 yards have made. And the building of the Indians is 

 somewhat beautifull outwardly, and within full of small 

 chambers, with very small windowes, which is not so 

 comly as the building of the Spanyards. This city 

 standeth in the midst of a great lake, and the water 

 goeth thorow all or the most part of the streets, and 

 there come small boats, which they call canoas, and 

 in them they bring all things necessary, as wood, and 

 coales, and grasse for their horses, stones and lime to 

 build, and corne. 



This city is subject to many earthquakes, which often- 

 times cast downe houses, and kil people. This city is very 

 well provided of water to drinke, and with all maner of 

 victuals, as fruits, flesh and fish, bread, hennes and 

 capons, Guiny cocks and hennes, and all other fowle. 

 There are in this city every weeke three Faires or 

 Markets, which are frequented with many people, aswell 

 Spanyards as the people of the countrey. There are 

 in these Faires or Markets all maner of things that may 

 be invented, to sell, and in especiall, things of the 

 countrey. The one of these Faires is upon the Munday, 

 which is called S. Hypolitos faire, and S. James his faire 

 is upon the Thursday, and upon Saturday is S. Johns 

 faire. In this city is alwayes the kings governour or 

 viceroy, and there are kept the Termes and Parliaments. 

 And although there be other places of justice, yet this 

 is above all : so that all men may appeale unto this 



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