22 



SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



from the sea, though only six churches are now 

 in use. Indeed, nearly all the churches, 

 monasteries, and nunneries here, have been 

 abandoned, and are fast falling into decay, 

 since the town has been lost to the Spaniards. 

 Nothing is more repulsive to strangers, ac- 

 customed to the bustle of European cities, 

 than the gloomy death-like appearance of this 

 place. Of any other city it is considered a 

 disgrace to say that grass grows in the streets, 

 but here it would be a compliment, for no 

 vegetation* is to be observed, even for miles 

 around ; and fish is the only article of pro- 

 vision that is not brought from a distance. 

 The only water fit to drink is what falls from 

 the clouds, which is preserved in tanks ; that 

 from the castle and the convent of Franciscans 

 being the best. Though the markets are 

 tolerably well supplied by the Indians, living 



* On my arrival it was the dry season, but on my return 

 I found some little verdure. 



