AND ITS VICINITY. 433 
of them have but one story; yet they are large, and 
built in squares, with courts in the centre. Having 
thick walls and few windows, such dwellings are cooler 
and better adapted to the climate than if built in our 
northern mode. The rooms are always from fourteen 
to eighteen feet high, with brick floors, which contri- 
bute to their coolness. 
An aqueduct supplies that greatest of luxuries, an 
abundance of pure water. It is well constructed of 
stone, and, with its long ranges of arches winding over 
the rough ground and spanning the valleys on its way 
to the city, presents a highly picturesque appearance. 
It was built at the close of the last century, and has an 
extent of about three miles and a half. In addition to 
this, a small stream runs by the northern part of the 
city ; so that in respect to water, no city is better sup- 
plied. 
The most important edifice in Chihuahua is its 
cathedral, or, as it is here called, the parochial church. 
This stands on one side of the plaza. It is built of cut 
Stone, of a very light color, and has two well-propor- 
tioned towers and a dome. The people pride them- 
selves much on this building, which is said to be only 
second to the great cathedral of Mexico. If strict 
adherence to the principles of a particular order of archi- 
tecture constitutes beauty, this edifice will be found 
Wanting. It partakes of the Gothic and the Elizabeth- 
an styles, with a profusion of ornament, similar to that 
Which was practised in Spain after the expulsion of 
the Moors ; still its appearance is very imposing, and 
18 equalled by few churches in the United States. Its 
Interior is less chaste than its exterior. 
VOL. I1.—28 
