IN THE PACIFIC. 151 



on the west coast of Mexico ; it is perfectly 

 land-locked, spacious, and secure. It was 

 formerly celebrated as the rendezvouz for the 

 Spanish galleons trading to Manilla, and in 

 those days Acapulco must have been a thriving 

 place; but now it is in a dilapidated condi- 

 tion. The houses have sloping thatched roofs, 

 which afford protection from the sun and rain, 

 and all have a verandah round them, where the 

 owner may generally be seen reclining during 

 the heat of the day. The town, being shut in 

 by the mountains on all sides, is excessively hot, 

 but there is a gap in one of the hills, through 

 which the sea breeze blows like a funnel. By 

 anchoring abreast of this place, and springing 

 the ship broadside to the breeze, we managed 

 to keep cool, whilst those on shore were 

 sweltering. 



There is some good shooting to be had not 

 far from the anchorage, if one does not mind 

 hard work and exposure to the sun. 



Accompanied by E , I went to a place 



called Marques, about five miles by sea from 



